Washington Street Coffee House - New London, Connecticut

jeri M.

Everything I want in a coffee house. Consistently great food, clean chill atmosphere, friendly helpful staff. Bakery items are delicious and varied, apple crustada was delicious 😋 the coffee they brew is very palatable, like, I'd feel comfortable taking g my very persnickety Grampa, And! my super hip daughter here, yknow? High ceilings, tall big windows gives it a very open feel, great place to work or read. There's one of those electric fireplaces that gives a nice warm n cozy vibe, so it's not so big that I feel... like I gtg. Easy place to chill and just be, highly recommend. Oh, and it looks like they use milk from a local dairy, so that's awesome.

Rachel A.

Really lovely place! I got the tofu scramble burrito as a plate since I am gluten free! It was delicious! Also, some of the best coffee I’ve ever had

Edit: Still the best coffee I’ve had ever

Juliette R.

this is one of my favorite spots in town! such a good place to study with lots of seating. the food is always delicious and they have great vegetarian and vegan options. the staff is incredible and the whole space is beautiful.

Christopher S.

Excellent shop: good food, superb espresso drinks, strong-good vibe. These folks have it very well dialed-in: they know who they are and they deliver with confidence and friendliness. Latin-/South American vibe to some of the offerings (huevos rancheros excellent, for example), free fast wifi, a pleasant space with good tables and a kid's corner (carpeted, with toys). One particular plus: the interior treatments & ceiling are such that it is *not* too noisy--rather, the ambient sound level is very modest and the space thus *much* more welcoming. Highly recommended.

Christopher E.

Came into the coffee house this morning, it has a lovely local feel and the lady at the counter who also is the owner was very welcoming. The bagel and cookie we ordered were lovely and would highly recommend. The flat white I ordered however was as close to resembling a flat white as a rooster is to laying an egg. It wasn’t on the menu so it’s my own fault but overall the Washington Coffee House is the solo ray of light in what is an incredibly sad town.

Jeremy E.

In a city known more for a neighboring submarine base than its culinary ambitions, Washington Street Coffee House has emerged as an unlikely sanctuary, crafting sophisticated culinary experiences with unpretentious New England authenticity.

The modest whitewashed edifice at 13 Washington Street belies the transformative experience within. Its unassuming facade and weather-beaten sidewalk harmonize with New London's workingman's downtown. Above, power lines web the sky like industrial lace, silent narrators of the city's blue-collar heritage and present-day realities.

Cross the threshold, however, and witness the space unfold with cathedral-like aspiration. Timber beams stretch overhead, while workshop pendants cast honey-gold light across burnished floors that bear the polish of countless footfalls. On any given morning, the clientele forms a living portrait of coastal Connecticut: tweed-jacketed professors hunched over manuscripts, fresh-faced cadets stealing moments between duties, and bohemians lost in creative pursuit, graphite scratching against sketchbooks.

This luminous haven has transcended mere caffeination, becoming a culinary lighthouse in waters not typically known for gastronomic distinction.

Their signature matcha latte presents as liquid artistry—a verdant pool crowned with alabaster foam swirled into ephemeral designs. Beyond visual appeal, it delivers complexity where chain competitors offer only sweetness. The menu ventures far beyond expected coffee shop fare, presenting global flavors reimagined through a distinctly New England lens.

Jazz melodies drift through the air, interweaving with conversational murmurs and the percussive symphony of espresso preparation. The walls serve as gallery space for rotating exhibitions, while collections of decorative plates adorn another wall—an evolving archive of aesthetic sensibility rather than calculated décor.

The communal seating arrangements foster serendipitous connections in an era when such encounters grow increasingly rare. During a recent morning service, a silver-haired former submarine engineer engaged a visiting journalist in spirited dialogue about the city's ongoing renaissance, punctuating his observations with gestures toward the window where scaffolding hints at renewal.

"We're not Newport and never will be," he declared, cradling his steaming mug brewed from locally roasted beans. "But that's exactly why some of us love it here."

The kitchen embraces contemporary dietary consciousness, offering plant-based milk alternatives and thoughtfully crafted vegan options that reflect modern culinary awareness without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Positioned strategically at downtown's maritime edge, the coffee house places patrons within easy reach of the city's nautical attractions and waterfront parks where seasonal celebrations enliven the shoreline.

In a corridor dominated by tourist behemoths like Mystic and Foxwoods, this unassuming establishment stands as both gustatory triumph and compelling testament to New London's understated allure—a city whose greatest treasure is its resolute, unvarnished gritty authenticity.

DesignsbyAna

Was very busy in the a.m. due to the St. Patrick’s Day parade ☘️ but barista was calm & very pleasant despite the long line. Great artsy vibe for all ages. Chai Latte was perfectly made! Worth stopping in if you’re passing through the area!

Kristin B.

This coffee shop offers many different drinks and sandwiches. The location is in downtown New London. We enjoyed our coffee and shared a breakfast burrito. I would visit again if I'm in the area.