The Ministry

Owner and attendant are very close minded. The aggressiveness in implementing their illogical “mask mandate” truly makes no sense. You’re required to wear a mask, yet 10 feet away people are sitting down maskless having conversations.
I tried to have a civil conversation with the owner but she was very defensive and close minded. Even more so, you could see the lady in the kitchen wearing her mask below her nose…this is all so silly and divisive. We’re humans, not dogs needing a snout cover.
I asked if she could look right behind her (perhaps 8ft from us) the several people eating and visiting with each other, sitting without a mask…and I told her I would go sit down at a good distance from anyone else. She replied “I don’t need to look at anyone…it’s a requirement as a private business…”.
I respect private business, so I kindly asked for a refund and will take my business elsewhere.
I hope they will honor my refund.

I've been to The Ministry several times since they opened. The fancy toasts and Polish Snowballs are absolutely delicious, and the Chai Latte is always on point. The ambience is elegant and welcoming, and the staff are eager to put their best foot forward. They recently opened so everyone seems to be still getting their bearings, but they definitely make up for any little mistakes by making you truly want to visit again and again. I'll be back very soon!

I am a coffee addict and feel at home at the The Ministry. Great cold brew (they make it there in house) and chill vibe. Also great service, not an assembly line type of place.

Never interacted with a rude person as the women worked on this Café .
After she handed me and my friends masks to put on , she said to guy next to her :”don’t take there orders until they put on the mask”.

We already put on the mask !!! What’s wrong with her!!!

Just then realizes why the place is so dead .

This is one of the best places in DC to get coffee. The owner and the baristas show the utmost care for the art, and are incredibly knowledgeable about every part of the process. The shop does not do sizes of coffee (because coffee is about ratios) nor do they do flavor shots, because the coffee comes first. The shop has held coffee classes and hosted DMV-area coffee competitions, so it's a competent place.

The one downside is that the food, while good, is on the pricier side, probably due to the location.

So glad this place is finally open! A high quality independent (and woman-owned!) coffee shop was needed in this area. Great coffee (from Ceremony). Chai is Rishi and goes great with almond milk. We also had a really delicious avocado toast, and the rest of the menu looked good as well. AND they have glasses and mugs which I love so you don't have to throw away disposables if you're having coffee in. Looking forward to spending more time here!

What a gem! The Angel Oatmeal dish is a unique twist and super delicious! All of the details: customer service, flatware, napkins, and scrumptious food makes this a place you should not miss!!

The Ministry is a coffee shop/wine bar on New Jersey Ave NW near Union Station and in a place that is hoping to develop in the coming months. It's also a business that seems to be banking on their Instagram game. If you scroll through their feed, you'll get the impression that they value beautiful design, speciality coffee, and fine wine. It's clear they want you to come and post on Instagram for your friends to see.

With that expectation, you may be a little caught off guard when you actually visit. It's in the bottom floor of an office building and half of the space looks it. It's plain and sterile feeling. Then you notice the pink espresso machine and the beautiful cushion seating in the other half.

In the mornings they serve coffee and muffins. I ordered an ice latte and it was good. However, they did not have simple syrup at the bar, just packets of sugar. The muffins are delicious. Small, but tasty.

I did go for wine, but their list is impressive and I'd go back with my wife for a date night.

Has a great decor and vibe. Service was good, and no complaints about my cold brew (though I'm not a coffee afficianado). My only "complaint" is that there is a limit on how long you can use the wifi, but I understand as a small business the need to address freeloading

Show your papers. Wear a mask. If you are stuck in a perpetual “two weeks to slow the spread” in 2022, this place is for you.
If you still do want to have coffee in some neverending pandemic hellscape, you can expect to be treated like a virus yourself. Totally degrading experience.