National Portrait Gallery Courtyard Cafe — Restaurant in Washington

n o t e i did NOT purchase food from the cafe itself

c o m m e n t s the national portrait gallery court cafe is a must see! it's designed to mimic the natural world, particularly elements of nature that make our country unique. there are stunning plants from all around the country; the tropical ones being a personal favorite. the ceiling is designed to let in natural light, creating a peaceful ambience. I recommend visiting at different times of day to take note of the changing light.

additionally, there is plenty of seating in this space where you can eat food, converse with friends, and take in the scenery. I was allowed to eat and drink outside food and sit on one of the marble planters/benches while doing so.

one of the best parts of the entire gallery is the water feature in this room! the sound itself is serene, and it perfectly echoes throughout the space. the rectangular water panels are meant to emulate the ocean and are parallel to the floor. there's no depth to the water, so it's safe for young children and adults to play in! you can dip your toes in the water which was, to my surprise, pleasantly warm.

if you don't have time to check out the gallery, I'd definitely stop by this cafe! it's the perfect place to meditate and reflect, and best of all, it's...

I ordered coffee, and while drinking it, I noticed a strain of hair in my drink. After showing it to a worker and asking for another drink or a refund, as I do not believe that serving dirty drinks is appropriate, the worker told me that it's not hair but a cut in a cup. So I opened the cup and reached through the ice to get this strain of hair. After getting it out and showing it to the worker, I was told that I had put the hair in there and that no refund or a new coffee would be given. I am highly dissatisfied with the service response as I do not believe serving dirty drinks is appropriate. I don’t recommend this place for hygiene purposes and...

We spent a few quiet hours here on a Sunday afternoon getting some work done before flying out. The atmosphere in the courtyard changes with the light through the amazing ceiling. The high roofline allows for sound to filter through the space, mixing the conversations with the sounds of children and the water running across the floor. Truly a special place with an amazing aesthetic.

The cafe provides sandwiches, small bites, and a continual flow of coffee to keep you moving.

While we were there, they were setting up for a private dinner with 24 guests; adding to the allure...