Sylvan Cafe & Restaurant — Restaurant in Washington

I have an addiction- chocolate croissants. Believe me when I tell you I've probably had almost every single chocolate croissant in the city. Heck, probably in the entire DMV area. There's something about the perfectly baked dough filled with warm, oozing chocolate inside. Wow. I can taste it now.

That being said, there are two chocolate croissants I've had in the DMV area that I crave. The first is at Maketto on H Street NE early in the morning the moment they come out of the oven. The other is at Sylvan Cafe and Bakery in Bloomingdale. If you arrive by 9AM, they are still warm. Bits of chocolate are baked into the dough so even before you get to the center, you're tasting chocolate. Not sure if there's lemon in it, but I tasted a slight hint of it. I am not a fan of lemon in my pastry, but it was so slight it brought out the flavor of the chocolate more.

If you're like me, you MUST stop by for a chocolate croissant. If you're not like me, still stop by for a latte and/or a breakfast bagel sandwich. It comes out warm and have a variety of flavors and options.

The space itself is small with two window tables with five stools total. However, it's usually empty so if you need a place to work, there are outlets and free, strong wifi with no network password required.

Just moments being here, you can tell it's locals who stop in, which is a good sign. There's also a piano inside for anyone to play. So quirky...

I love this place! It's a small business with a calm, pleasant atmosphere, a big menu, and a kind + quick staff. The space itself is fantastic as well - there's a nice seating area with big tables and window seats, a piano by the counter that anyone is allowed to play, and a cool marquee sign out front! I love working in this cozy cafe on cold and rainy mornings.

I spent a few months living in DC, and while I was there, I made it my mission to find the best lox bagel. I've visited a LOT of DC bagelries in my day (including CYM), and Sylvan Cafe was my favorite of all of them. (You can trust my judgement; I'm Jewish.) The bagels are toasty and well-seasoned - I always get an everything bagel, and they don't skimp on the seeds. The fish is fresh, the fixins are neatly-stacked, and the ratio of lox:vegetables:cream cheese was just right for me. I've been back a few times, and the quality is consistently high. If lox bagels aren't your thing, there's a wide variety of sandwiches, paninis, pastries, and Ethiopian veggies for you to try instead! This place has something for everyone. It's perfect for all of your breakfast/brunch/lunch/snack needs, and is a wonderful local...

I absolutely love Sylvan Cafe and it has quickly become my go-to spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! This hidden gem in the Bloomingdale DC area truly caters to everyone, which is hard to find. Their food selection is phenomenal and incredibly inclusive, boasting tons of gluten-free options, along with a fantastic array of vegetarian and vegan choices. They even have authentic New Jersey bagels for breakfast, which is a game-changer on a weekday morning or a weekend recovery meal (iykyk). The best part? You can enjoy their delicious, authentic Ethiopian food all day long! The drink menu is equally impressive. Whether you need a morning jolt from their great coffee, matcha, a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage, or something stronger, they have it. A special shout-out to their unique Ethiopian honey wine—it's a must-try. Finally, I am thrilled with the new, expanded hours: 8 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week! It makes planning so easy. Now I can grab a quick bagel and latte while getting some work done on a weekday, enjoy a leisurely brunch with friends on the weekends, or just stop by in the evening to relax. Sylvan Cafe...