Cafein, Independent Coffee House with Skilled Baristas (and Sandwiches) - Sully Place in Chantilly

[ulrath]

Best coffee in western fairfax. There. I said it. Really, this is a no lose scenario for me. If someone had one better, I will go there. I have 4 small kids. I need a lot of coffee.

I normally just get the house coffee which is damn fine. They normally use an Ethiopian blend. These days I get 2. One for the morning and one for the afternoon. Cold Stumptown is better than the office coffee.

The standouts at this place are the lattes. They were closed during December because of a fire. While they were off their batistas won a regional coffee competition. Artistically they look good but taste even better. My favorites are the rose latte and the honey cinnamon. If you don't like coffee the hot chocolate is good too.

They do pour overs too if you are into that. I normally like those but have never tried it because the house coffee is soo good.

Seriously. These guys are good. If you haven't tried them yet, you should. I only wish they were there back when I worked nearby.

[PollyG]

My daughter's green tea latte was excellent today.  I thought my husband's cold brew was a little sour and off.  My own iced decaf Americano was excellent.  My daughter is 16 and really liked the vibe. 

[hapatite]

I love this place, and I loved Coffeesmith (same location). The coffee is always really good, I just wish they advertised their latte flavors! I heard they have a rose latte?

[Al Dente]

I had a delicious Stumptown pour over here while waiting for my carry out order from Dumpling Queen. 

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

[ulrath]

So Stumptown was bought a few years ago and their quality has been going downhill.  Cafein has switched to Coava coffee from San Diego and the switch has been great.  I always worry about small shops but Cafein is always packed whenever I go... which is almost everyday..... my coffee is often waiting for me by the time I get to the register..... don't judge me.... I can stop anytime I want to.  

[Bob Wells]

1 hour ago, ulrath said:

Ribs and Dumplings are my go to choices here.  If you are here for lunch though, you should go a few doors down and grab some coffee at Cafein right in the same shopping center.  

Second the Cafein suggestion. Not easy to find indy coffee joints in the distant burbs, but this is a good one, as is Mug & Muffin down 50 in Stone Ridge.

1 hour ago, ulrath said:

So Stumptown was bought a few years ago and their quality has been going downhill.  Cafein has switched to Coava coffee from San Diego and the switch has been great.  I always worry about small shops but Cafein is always packed whenever I go... which is almost everyday..... my coffee is often waiting for me by the time I get to the register..... don't judge me.... I can stop anytime I want to.  

Side Stumptown-related note: We had a place out here called Life & Honey at the new Dulles Landing plaza. Sort of a health-food place  (think avocado toast, grain bowls etc), with Stumptown coffee. Probably didn't have anything to do with the coffee, but the place was a miserable failure, lasting less than two years (mainly due to the prices, I think). So no more Stumptown out this way that I know of.