This was supposed to be published back in March. It seems so long ago now! I literally went to Del Ray to try out a couple of coffee shops to finish out this blog post, and I was planning to publish it a couple of weeks later. That was Friday, March 13. And then the world went nuts, y’all. I debated about when to publish it. These businesses were either closed or working with a skeleton crew for to go orders only, so sharing a new blog post about them seemed like it would just get lost in the shuffle, if you know what I mean. But now that Northern Virginia has re-opened (and will hopefully stay that way), everyone should go get coffee at the local shops in Del Ray!

Where’s Del Ray? It’s a charming neighborhood in Alexandria, just a mile or so from Old Town. It’s got a local feel and a definite artsy vibe, but what I love about it are the amazing coffee shops! There are several all along Mount Vernon Avenue, but don’t skip the ones a bit off the beaten path as well. Here are my top picks!

Buzz Bakeshop

This list is in alphabetical order, but this first one is also my number one for a reason: my husband took me here on our first date! It will always be a favorite. They have some of the best pastries and cakes in the DMV (D.C.-Maryland-Virginia), and their coffees and teas are wonderful, too!

Junction Bakery and Bistro

This bistro is one of those places where you walk in and you just know it’s the right place to be. The pastries are over-sized, the coffee is delicious, and if you need breakfast they’ve got that for you, too! I opted for the Vietnamese coffee!

M.E. Swing’s Coffee Bar

Swing’s Coffee Roaster has been serving coffee around the D.C. area for over 100 years! That kind of tried and true business deserves special respect. The coffee is roasted in-house, so you can smell it before you even enter! They also have awesome locally-made pastries and breakfast bars, like this bionic bar! I’m pretty sure it had chocolate, honey, oats, pumpkin seeds, and more! It was just the boost I needed and the perfect balance after all my coffee!

St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub

This place calls itself “Del Ray’s Living Room,” and it’s true! When people think of Del Ray, they think of St. Elmo’s. They have all the coffee options you want, plus big, beautiful pastries, sandwiches, and quiche! This mushroom quiche was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten!

Stomping Ground

This little shop has a cozy and industrial vibe all at once, and it’s cute! They don’t carry every form of milk or every single flavor imaginable, but they do use only the best ingredients, and they make their chocolate for their mochas from scratch!

Want more coffee recommendations and foodie pics? Check out my World Foods Page!

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