Who doesn’t love fall? The perfect weather, leaves falling off the trees, homecoming season, and most importantly, the best holidays! 

But the worst thing about fall? School. Fall comes right after the excitement of the start of school and falls right at the end of term one and the beginning of term two. The season should be filled with pre-holiday joy but often ends up a treacherous time for students.  Endless assignments, seniors stressed out over applications, and the threat of progress reports are all easily the spookiest parts of the season. The grueling studying is hard for everyone; there’s no doubt about it. But there is one thing that helps make the seasons just a little cuter: fall cafes. As a self-proclaimed professional-studier, here are five great fall coffee shops where you can stay locked-in for hours while enjoying a fall latte.

1. The Emissary: Dupont Circle

Tucked among the busy shops of Dupont Circle and filled with life and delicious food, Emissary is one of the coziest cafes in DC. Although I wouldn’t consider this cafe to be specifically fall-themed, there is a unique aspect of coziness that it achieves. The menu is filled with fresh brunch meals such as Smashed Avocado Toast or Brioche Grilled Cheese, along with heart-warming evening meals, including House Made Gnocchi and Crispy Armenian Fries. They offer pastries baked fresh every morning and seasonal drinks perfect for the fall season! The Emissary’s soft lighting, small windows, and touch of greenery make it feel calm and tucked in–the kind of spot where time slows down as you work. Sitting there for hours, you see people typing away endlessly, facetiming a loved one while eating a delicious meal, or chatting away with old friends. All in all, The Emissary is  the perfect place to lock in while also lightening your mood during a rigorous time. (Don’t be fooled by the two locations!)

Bigger location: 2032 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036; smaller location: 1726 20th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

2. Soleluna: Adams Morgan

Tucked into the center of the bustling neighborhood of Adams Morgan, Soleluna blends its cozy and calm atmosphere with the neighborhood’s lively energy. Its bay windows and outdoor seating give the place life on a sunny fall day. Its proximity to the Red Line Metro and the ever bustling 16th Street makes it ideal for an on-the-go coffee or a six-hour-long study session. The colorful Pistachio Croissant paired with an affordable four-dollar caramel latte (price of all the coffee drinks!) makes a perfect treat to get you through your never-ending work. The sounds of friends chatting, students typing away, and the vibrant music create a buzzing atmosphere that makes studying just a bit more enjoyable. 

1787 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

3. Tatte: Georgetown

Blended into the vivacious Georgetown atmosphere, Tatte creates a great escape, perfect for long hours of studying. Tatte has many locations all around DC, and the meal and pastry selection never misses. The Tatte in Georgetown achieves an inviting atmosphere despite being quite a big shop. Its partial underground location, along with its tall ceilings and large windows, creates a cozy but spacious setting perfect for sweater weather. Its hearty meals include its Potato, Mushroom, Bacon Shakshuka with warm toasted sourdough bread on the side, and the Roasted Salmon Winter Vegetable Rice Bowl makes the perfect lunch or dinner that fills you up with warmth on a cool fall day. Beyond its meals, Tatte’s wide selection of bakeries and sweets provides the ultimate study snacks to regain energy. Tatte is not just a small coffee shop; it’s an abode where you can happily hibernate all fall long. Don’t forget to check out all its locations!

1545 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007.

4. Tryst: Adams Morgan

Another great coffee shop nestled in Adams Morgan, Tryst is the perfect spot to cozy up and get hours of work done. Their combination of high-quality food, mismatched chairs and dishes, and delicious coffee creates the perfect atmosphere for this fall season. The menu offers food for every craving, from its hearty Breakfast Burrito to its spicy Nachos Locos, and even a Smoothie Bar where you can build your own smoothie. Large windows open up to the bustling streets outside, bringing lively energy inside. But, its warm lighting and cozy couch chairs provide the warmth and calmness that characterizes a fall cafe. With its lively yet comforting atmosphere, Tryst offers a warm escape from the crisp autumn air– a cozy haven for studying hours a day this fall season.  

2459 18th St NW, Washington, DC

5. Ebenezers: Capitol Hill

Ebenezers is the perfect place to cozy up on a chilly fall day. Its wooden walls and soft couch chairs make it the perfect spot to snuggle up and get hours of work done. Located in the beautiful neighborhood of Capitol Hill, near Union Station, Ebenezers is a vivacious spot in DC. Inside, the rising fumes from hot drinks wrap the space in warmth, offering comfort from the brisk fall air. Their rich, homebrewed coffee is guaranteed to comfort as well as provide a burst of energy for long study sessions. Alongside their Hot Chocolate and Batch Brew Coffee, Ebenezer offers delicious pastries as well as breakfast sandwiches and burritos, perfect for a mid-study craving. Outside, chatter fills the crisp autumn air as orange, red, and yellow leaves drift down from the trees. Inside, the scent of coffee and fresh pastries lingers in the air as students and professionals type away endlessly. With its convenient proximity to the metro, freshly brewed coffee, and inviting atmosphere, Ebenezers Coffeehouse is the perfect study spot to settle in for long hours of work. 

201 F St NE, Washington, DC 20002 •