Commonwealth Joe Coffee Roasters ★★★★★
From the moment I drove by, I knew this place would be near perfection. The glass semicircular entrance was stunning and caught my eye immediately. This was Commonwealth Joe Coffee Roasters in Arlington, Virginia.
My husband’s job entails working the Washington D.C. area and traveling the US. This often affords me the opportunity to travel along with him. I have visited ten states (at the time of this post) and well over 100 coffee shops. I am often told what a neat opportunity I have and I couldn’t agree more! My goal is to visit all 50 states and become your coffee shop directory.
It must be humorous from the baristas point of view to see me walking into their cafe for the first time. Usually, I take a few steps in the door and begin looking all around. Eventually I get closer to the bar and take a long time to decide what I want to order. The barista will ask if I need any help or suggestions, at this point I try to decide.
I just have to say, this place was stunning! Â Beautiful, fresh flowers were displayed everywhere. In this medium size cafe, there is plenty of seating and a cupping room is featured to the right. It is well lit, simply beautiful with its clean lines. The high ceilings were accentuated by singular wooden bookshelf cubicles sitting atop the white tiled walls.
Commonwealth Joe truly surpassed all my expectations! My cappuccino was a drink from heaven and the pour over was just perfection!
Coffee tip – You will find the freshest coffee at a local coffee shop as opposed to a Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts. Chain coffee shops receive large batches of coffee that have been roasted long ago. We all know fresh is better and with coffee it is the same.
-CT
Sounds amazing! I agree and love checking out local coffee shops over chains. Always better!
Wow!! this is just like I was sitting next to you drinking a cup of coffee. I do want to ask..whats a cupping room?
Wow!! this is just like I was sitting next to you drinking a cup of coffee. I do want to ask..whats a cupping room?
See my Kaldi’s coffee post for what a cupping is. 🙂
I used to live in DC, will have to look for this place next time I visit!
This is an awesome review. I’ll have to tell my husband about this place. He loves coffee and sometimes does work in that area! Thanks for sharing
I find it amusing that this coffee shop is based in the US, but it has ‘Commenwealth’ included in its name.
You are right! Small coffee shops do have much better coffee. I just never knew why until now!
Completely agree about the fresh coffee tip – there’s a coffee shop near my house and I swear it’s always better then starbucks.
One of my sisters lives in Arlington, I’ll have to see if she knows about this place! It looks great!
That sounds like a great coffee shop! I love that they have fresh flowers!
What is a cupping room?
See my post about Kaldi’s Coffee for that definition.. 🙂
I need to try this one! I love local roasters. If you are back in the DC area you should check out Zeeks.
Zeke’s is great! I did a blog post on my visit – see the Maryland tab. 🙂
I love finding the smaller coffee shops and roasteries as they always have such unique interiors and coffees and always seem to take such a pride in each and every cup they serve. I love the look of this place!
Ellie | http://www.scotchandstilettos.com
Wow this looks awesome! I love finding cute (and super cool) coffee shops when I go traveling!
Wow! This is amazing! I love coffee so so much. Thanks for the tip
Thanks you and your welcome!
I try to visit local coffee shops that roast their own beans whenever I travel, too. I used to live in Alexandria, so I still visit the D.C. area about once per year. I’ll have to keep Commonwealth Joe in mind for my next visit!