Esp Tea & Coffee

The vibe of this cafe is fantastic, with all the funky and eclectic decor and delicious offerings. I enjoyed their drinks so much that I ended up visiting them all three days of my trip! I tried their spiced apple cider, hi res chai, and caramel apple chai which were all perfect for the crisp fall weather Definitely stop by for a cup of tea or coffee if you’re in the area :)

- Mimi Freeze -

If you're looking for a funky, relaxing coffeeshop to work, meet up, or unwind - this is the place to be. Also super dog friendly, they're allowed indoors and on the patio and there are doggie water bowls too. Laid-back environment and friendly staff.

- Raquel Luster -

The vibes here r amazing and I love the music and have loved the drinks for many times in the past. This has been a favorite cafe since 2023 and I have been getting the iced ceremonial matcha with lavender syrup & either oat or almond milk. This next part will only be important if you have a stick up ur butt when it comes to making drinks. Today I came in after a few months away and ordered the same thing, but it honestly just tasted like milk. I try to ask for extra ice so that’s on me but regardless, I usually taste the matcha or sweetener and neither were present. I felt bad but asked for a new one, requesting for a new matcha shot. The barista poured the shot right on top of the drink, melting the ice. The drink then just tasted less sweet and watery but a bit more earthy. What I would have done is; put a bit of the current drink into a separate cup; add the boiling hot matcha shot to the separate cup; add more ice into the og cup; strain out a little bit of the current drink to account for the added substance; then add the separate cup mixture. That way it holds the most amount of flavor and if it were espresso, it would not become shocked and bitter from being poured directly over ice. Additionally; there is a slight grainy texture to the matcha that should be looked into when whisking. Likely using less water & more rigorous whisking with a fine bristle whisk would do the job well. Using more ice would also make the drink taste stronger (building a better rep) and save $ by using less milk. I love love love the vibes here and the menu is awesome but I must be honest as a cafe manager myself, this drink was not up to the usual standard they’ve provided me. Their matcha, teas, and coffee are genuinely quality & the philosophies of this cafe are worth the visit regardless of my nit-picky perspective. Staff was also amazing btw!!

- faith evette -

food was okay, matcha felt authentic cause it’s unsweetened. the decor was impressive and there were local artists prints there. so cool, i bought one small print. a good place to have some coffee, and local stuffs

- Ngn Ruby -

I stopped by ESP Tea & Coffee after a nearby massage and was glad I did. It’s a cute café with a cool, artsy vibe and kind staff. They took the time to answer my questions and help me decide what to order. I tried one of their specials—the waffle cone latte with vanilla and white chocolate (requested less sweet)—and a vegetable patty to go. The latte was mistakenly made iced, but they quickly remade it hot and even let me keep the iced one for my daughter, which I appreciated. The drink was flavorful and nicely balanced with the reduced syrup. Unfortunately, the veggie patty was a letdown—overcooked, dry, and light on filling, with hard edges. I hope that’s something they improve, because otherwise, it was a good visit. I definitely would go back and try more of what they offer.

- Shauné Hayes -

The coffee is good, I ordered the flat white. I know they get their coffee beans from Dream chaser and been curious to try both the place and their coffee out. It satisfied my caffeine need to wake up. The service was excellent. Ambiance, the decor is eclectic and bold with some cozy vibes. There is limited coffee seating due to the design of the building itself. I know people that have come here to work remotely and have not heard them complain about it. If I am in the area again and need caffeine I'll definitely will come back and stop. Also, they self Art prints so if you decor for your place you can get some.

- Oenihss Diaz -

Super nice and cozy place. Matcha is super good and staff is adorable

- Vicky Arliaud -

ESP is my favorite coffee shop in Old Town, and I’m going to miss it so much when I move! The atmosphere is so cozy and unique. As you walk through the door you’re greeted by a variety of prints, stickers, and handmade items from local artists available to browse as you wait and the customer service is fantastic. Even when this place is packed the staff are always welcoming and kind and the quality is consistent. Everything on the menu is delicious. The brown sugar shaken espresso is addictive, my partner loves the cappuccino, the spinach quiche and chicken patties are my go-tos, and the baklava is a must try. As for seating, there’s usually plenty of space on weekdays. Weekends can get packed, but that’s true for any shop on King Street. My favorite spot is the little hidden nook through the back door. It’s a lovely spot to meet friends and chat. We’ve tried every spot around here, and ESP is the best coffee shop in Alexandria, hands down!

- Eden DeHaven -