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Northside Social Coffee & Wine
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Food Coffee & Tea Nightlife Bars Wine Bars American (Traditional), Coffee & Tea, Wine Bars [Edit]
3211 Wilson BlvdArlington, VA 22201
(703) 465-0145
- Nearest Transit:
-
Clarendon Metrorail Station (Orange)
Virginia Square Metro Station (Orange)
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Sun 7 am - 10 pm
Wed 7 am - 12 am
Thu-Sat 7 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dessert, Lunch, Breakfast
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Washington DC's newest luxury gastropub - Redline is located in the heart of DC's Penn Quarter, steps away from the bustling Verizon Center and just… read more »
244 reviews for Northside Social Coffee & Wine
Review Highlights
"coffee beans - 4 stars (Counter Culture Roasters."
(in 15 reviews)
"outdoor seating, lots of comfortable couches."
(in 18 reviews)
"...one of the tastiest grilled cheese sandwiches I've had, and..."
(in 11 reviews)
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244 reviews in English
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Review from Yu-Wei C.
Arlington, VA
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good coffee!!!
a little bit bitter but not sour~
easy parking after 6pm -
Review from Elina Y.
Washington, DC
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Note: I have yet to venture upstairs, this review is strictly for the bottom bar floor.
The setup is a bit small and crowded downstairs but I was nothing but comfortable setting up my macbook along the wall to sip on my americano and work on my paper.
The coffee itself was not notably different or better than Illy.
I'll update my review later after a few more visits. -
Review from Jessica C.
Arlington, VA
1/22/2012
Coffee + Wine? Oh yes! This is a nice little place walking distance from our old house that my visiting family and I absolutely loved. Decor and setting is intimate and cute. The coffee is yummy and it just feels great to be there.
Coffee shops like Northside Social are the reason that living in Arlington is so expensive and actually worth it. Walking here on a chilly Saturday morning is one of the best parts about living in Clarendon, right up there with picking up an organic cantaloupe from Whole Foods just because it's across the street and you can. Northside Social is the type of place that makes a neighborhood great and one of the reasons I miss living in Clarendon so much.
They also give out free matches which I have all throughout our new house in the burbs. Arlington nostalgia!...& good coffee! -
Review from Nomadic T.
Vienna, VA
2/4/2012
The food and espresso drinks are amazing, and I love that you can sit and socialize, or get some work done. The only downside is the parking situation during the day.
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Review from Denise W.
Reston, VA
2/6/2012
Too crowded and the staff was, I shall quote a fellow reviewer since this sums it up, "disinterested". I won't go out of my way to go here again, and if I do, I won't assume I'll be able to get a table.
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Review from Erin S.
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is a local coffee shop that hits all the marks. They have great coffee and teas, sandwiches, and pastries. Seriously, the almond sugar cookies are so good, my friend ate it after she dropped it on my shoe! They are also very knowledgable about their products and can give some great home brewing advice.
I went here recently with my husband and another couple, and we could not help but notice that this is definitely a place to go if you happen to be single. There was more than one lady who was getting picked up by a cute fella. I'll have to let all my single gals know. -
Review from Dane D.
Arlington, VA
1/8/2012
I showed up here to meet friends on a Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm. The first thing that hits you is: This place is PACKED and LOUD. Every table and chat inside was taken, to the point that several folks were sitting outside in January. At least it was relatively more quiet outside.
I get why it's popular: A non-chain coffee house with homemade pastry and snacks and The Smiths playing on the soundtrack. Hip for sure, although the decor and layout aren't anything special.
When I finally got to the front of the line, though, the attendant seemed distracted. She asked me to repeat my (simple) order twice. Then, as I pulled out my wallet, she said to me:
"Oh, that'll be 10 minutes"
"10 minutes....for what?"
"For your drink to be ready."
Uh, no.
I'm sure it's a charming place. That said, I don't need to fight off a hipster mob, just to sit and have a cup of coffee. -
Review from Sabrina D.
Alexandria, VA
2/2/2012
Great place to sit and relax and read when I want to get away from my roomates. I always feel good supporting someone local, so much more intimate and fun. I wonder if places like this were what all the big chains put out of business.
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Review from Tracy L.
Arlington, VA
12/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
A New York Village-style hangout spot, the 2-level cafe is a nice place to enjoy some delicious breakfast sandwiches and coffee. I pretty much like all of the egg sandwiches here.
You can also get wine starting from 5 pm everyday except Sundays on the second floor.
The downside is that this place is eternally occupied by Mac users and people studying for something. But...usually I'll be able to scout out a seat or two. During summer months, there are also lots of people sitting outside.
Definitely a good, cozy neighborhood spot.
P.s. I must say I like how hipsters show a presence on these overly fratty blocks. -
Review from Tierra J.
Updated - 11/29/2011
I ventured upstairs to have wine and girl chat with my friends. Upstairs is a totally different vibe than downstairs -- it's a wine bar.
Allison, the sommelier/wine goddess, was so great at describing the wines without using all those way-over-most-people's-heads wine adjectives. She really used her words to bring some life to the wine.
My girls and I ordered wine and cheese and beer. I got a beer called "Fireside Chat". Oh YES YES YES! This is a phenomenal beer and I am SO glad Allison recommended it too (yup, she knows beer AND wine!).
The service is better upstairs than downstairs, hands down. Even just as one person, Allison handled everyone's orders. Whereas, downstairs, you have about fifty-'leven people, it seems to take for-ev-er to get what you want.
Oh, and this makes me especially happy -- there's music! Yes, there is music here. The DJ was playing old school hip hop, and after a few drinks, who doesn't like to jam to "Bonita Applebum"?
When I venture back to Northside Social, I'll be heading straight upstairs.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/13/2011
I had to try this place after my other coffee shop pissed me off and lost some of its kitsch. Damn… Read more »
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Review from Gokhan T.
McLean, VA
2/4/2012
My favorite cafe around here. European style. Only problem is that it gets too crowded over the weekend
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Review from Ruth C.
Dear Allison-the-sommelier,
I would be A-okay if my children grew up to be like you.
Love,
Future tiger mom & alcoholicListed in: R* haunts: liver failure…, Can't fight the beats!, NaNoEatMo
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Review from Evan R.
Silver Spring, MD
12/12/2011
Always a good experience here. Easily the best incarnation of several establishments that have graced this cool little building over the years.
Pros: The dude with the long hair & scraggly beard made the **** out of my coffee drink last time I was there. Truly a work of art, and delicious too. Makes me want to order another Cortado right now.
The Smoked Salmon sandwich has never done me wrong. Love the cookies too.
The clientle here seem to be able to enjoy alcohol here while managing to avoid alcohol-induced assholeism. No jello shots, frat-boy shout-outs, or tipsy 20-something trolips going "WOOOOOOOOOOO". Nice.
The most impressive display of milk I have ever seen.
Cons: I bought a pound of coffee there once. Once. It tasted like it had been on the shelf for longer than Juan Valdez has been alive.
I'm cool with coming up to the counter to get my grub, but there really seems to be no method of informing the customers that their food is ready. I get they don't want to kill the vibe by yelling "Suzanne, your banana guacomole is ready" over a speaker or whatever...maybe a pager or something?
Someone mentioned the disinterested dark haired girl...I know exactly who you are talking about. Someone needs to slip that chick a happy pill, because she acts like her dog just died every time I see her.
And the root beer in the boottle is pretty good, but it's not worth $4.
See you guys next Friday. -
Review from Kevin L.
12/4/2011 2 photos
I'm not a breakfast guy. I usually hate having breakfast because I can't find anything that's
1. Not cereal or oatmeal, bleh
2. Unique and not typical (eggs, toast, or waffles)
3. Not heavy like pancakes & waffles topped with syrup or bacon strips
So actually enjoying and wanting to come back to Northside Social for breakfast says something. We got here at about 10am and it was already packed with almost nowhere to sit. Most people drop by to pick up a coffee and pastry to go, but I wanted to enjoy a slow breakfast, so we went with coffee, a pastry, and split a quiche.
The latte and Walnut Coffee Cake were typical, nothing to complain about and delicious, but the quiche of the day, a Trout quiche, was absolutely AMAZING. While I've had homemade quiche (and frozen quiche) quite frequently throughout the years, I have never had such a quiche that was so unique, yet so delicious and light. Yes, trout for breakfast sounds kinda fishy (sorry), but trust me, you'll enjoy it and want more.This quiche (and I'm sure the other ones I have yet to try) is one of the few exceptions where I absolutely love breakfast. I mean yes, they serve it all day, but a quiche for lunch or dinner isn't very satisfying when you're hungry.
They run everything from the counter, so you pick up everything yourself and seat yourself. There's also a wine bar on the second floor and I could definitely imagine myself sitting in and getting work done. Love it!
--
PHOTO:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi... -
Review from Charlie T.
Hillsborough, NC
1/17/2012
Best cappuccino in Arlington. Great place to WFH.
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Review from Jeremy C.
11/29/2011 2 photos
If you are looking for the ultimate relaxing night with no crazy shows or people, Northside Social could be for you.
Located at the meeting of two streets, Northside Social is a coffee and wine lounge with a pretty good wine selection. I opted for the easy route and went for a 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. It was pretty good and well priced.
The whole place has a very nice vibe to it - everyone is just looking to have a drink and relax. There is a small upstairs bar as well, but seats are very limited. A nice spring evening is probably the best time to go as there is plenty of outdoor seating.
Parking is not the best, but I parked in a parking lot across the street (not sure if I was allowed to, but I was neither ticketed or towed, so thats always good!).
Pros: Very chill atmosphere, good wines, cool people.
Cons: Parking
Overall, if you and your peeps have nothing to do on a Friday night, Northside Social should do the trick! -
Review from Jenn H.
11/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've only been here twice, but I love this place. My coffees here have been deeeeeelicious, and the pastries are tasty! I think it's obvious they put a lot of care into their products. I've been meaning to try the ice cream, but I still haven't gotten around to it--but I have full confidence that it'll be wonderful.
The staff here is very friendly (I actually have a friend that used to work here!). It definitely gets a little crowded on weekends (probably not the best place to conduct college interviews--oops). The outside patio area is nice...but I dislike being right at the intersection :/ Head towards the back to find a nice sofa :) -
Review from Rachel E.
Washington D.C., DC
1/7/2012
Northside boasts the best espresso in Arlington. Great pastries, too. Prices tend to be a bit on the high side, and service can be a bit slow during peak hours. But I go there often, so I am undeterred by either. Usually has great art up on the walls as well by local artists, and there is plenty of space to read or work on a laptop. Always great music chosen by the baristas!
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Review from Amanda L.
Ann Arbor, MI
12/13/2011
This is a great place to come study and just hunker down with your books. I love the vibe of the place, and the tables are big enough to hold your laptop and various binders and books. Plus, there's free wi-fi! Unlike other coffee shops, this place serves real food, so you never have to leave!
Espresso-based drinks are good. Not the best, to-die for, but there's nothing wrong with them. Their cookies are awesome. I've never been a fan of crunchy cookies, but this place has converted me. If they have the coconut pecan one available - get it! I'm not even a fan of coconut, and they won me over with it anyways!
I really love this place because not only can I arrive in the morning and settle down with a cappuccino and pastry, but then I can stay all day and get up to order sandwiches, soups and quiches throughout the day. The menu is printed on a pamphlet, so I always initially order my coffee, then grab a paper menu and study it throughout the morning so the glutton in me can savor over every item on the menu before I finally let myself order lunch and more snacks...
Also, this place is always busy. It doesn't matter what time of day you go, what day of the week you go - it's always packed, and there's not a guarantee that you'll find the perfect table spot to study. Still, the place is awesome - so go! -
Review from S. Paul L.
Arlington, VA
12/13/2011
Their coffee, bread, and pastries are really quite good. They have a small, but nice wine menu and they have some really unique beers as well.
This place is a great hang out spot during the warmer months, but in the winter it is horrifically crowded and if you're lucky you may be able to get a seat somewhere. Otherwise, it's not uncommon to eat/drink standing up somewhere.
Recommended items: any of their quiche dishes & Amish Chicken Salad sandwich. -
Review from Amy S.
Arlington, VA
1/11/2012
Great place to study, meet for drinks, or read a book outside. Never been disappointed - tea, sandwiches, soup, wine, cheese, cookies - all great! Busy on weekends but you can usually find a seat within 5 or 10 min. Definitely worth checking out (especially when it gets nice out)!
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Review from S O.
Falls Church, VA
1/9/2012
Really cool place to hang out on a date or with friends. Went here one night with a friend, we got a bottle (great selection) and a cheese and meat plate. I'm not a big fan of cheese, and there late night menu didn't seem to offer more then cheese and meat, but it was still good. The service was great as well. Looking forward to my next visit.
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Review from Anne C.
Updated - 10/22/2011
HOT CHOCOLATE...
should be two things right?
HOT...and CHOCOLATE-y right?
WRONG.
here it is lukewarm and sweet. but not CHOCOLATE sweet, just sweet. I thought i was drinking sweetened lukewarm milk. There is also some new girl that is working here that looks like she is not even old enough to hold a job, but also is terrible at making drinks and works at the pace of a turtle....she alone causes the line to go out the door.
The red velvet cupcake? The frosting was awesome, but the cake was terrible. I had to drink my lukewarm milk to wash down the cake and definitely did not finish it.
This place continues to disappoint me, but somehow I always go back because of their hours and the lack of awesome cafes in the area.3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/2/2011
so this is one of those spots that is trendy right now, but just doesn't seem to make the cut and… Read more »
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Review from Stephanie L.
Kalamazoo, MI
I enjoyed my first visit to Northside because of the delicious drip coffee, affordable breakfast sandwich and cozy atmosphere. I will return soon!
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Review from Kevin D.
Washington, DC
10/13/2011
This is the best coffee shop in the DC metro area. I go here 2-4 nights a week. The Jamaican rooibos and white peach tea are excellent. The Nutella pop tart or hazelnut espresso biscotti are brilliant. Finally a coffee shop that has real food! I love the nicoise salad, smoke salmon sandwich, white bean pesto soup, and hand and cheese quiche.
The staff is friendly and polite, not just to the freaks like me who come all the time because GMU owns their life, but to all the guests. Last week a friend and I were there and they were hosting a pig roast on their front patio! There was an amazing jug band with a singer who looked like and sounded like Jerry Garcia.
Graduate school can be a shit show, and I am so glad there is a place to grab healthy, clean, and quick food and tea, right down the block. -
Review from Terry T.
Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY
11/3/2011
This is a great location for the self-employed get out of the house and work in a nice atmosphere. It is very spacious and has a great soundtrack playing quietly in the background. There's a nice patio area out front for sunny days.
My latte has been excellent each time.
I ordered a breakfast sandwich today with poached egg and spinach. I substituted the English muffin with the other bread that is offered on their breakfast sandwiches... I'm blanking on the name but it's the other choice on the menu. Anyway, the bread was fantastic (toasted, buttery, and flaky) and the egg was perfectly poached.
Reasonable prices too. I'll be back! -
Review from E Z.
Arlington, VA
12/9/2011
Ugh. Strolled in at 11pm Friday night and was slowly served by a very disinterested dark-haired girl behind the counter. No greeting, no smiling, no pleasantries. Well, good evening to you, too! My girlfriend and I order -- small cider, small French press -- and wait for a little while before noticing that the cider has simply been deposited on the counter by the cashier, with no announcement or notice. Lovely. My French press takes a little longer, rightly so, and I say, "thank you" to the blonde-haired kid who prepared it. He responds, "you press down on the knob when the timer runs out." No worries, must not have heard me. "Got it, thanks," and he simply says, "yeah," in return. We head outside in the 35-degree weather, eager to get some distance between us and the disinterested staff.
The good: girlfriend's cider was great, with hints of cinnamon and cloves.
The bad: my French press was lousy, tasted stale, lacked any of the delicious brown swirls that usually accompany a French press.
In fact, the French press was so bad, I returned it a few minutes later. To the guy's credit, he accepted it back with only a modest amount of skepticism -- explaining that he'd used Ethiopian grounds -- and gave me a coupon for two free drinks after I said I couldn't wait for a new pot to be made. Nice gesture, but the girlfriend will have to use it since I've little interest in coming back.
The same crew that operates Northside Social also runs Liberty Tavern and Lyon Hall, two similarly trendy spots, but with much better service. Drinking at Lyon Hall is particularly fun and a great bargain on happy hour -- and they do a much better French press than the actual coffee shop. Northside Social: please learn some lessons from your French sibling. -
Review from Anjaly P.
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I used to go to yoga across the street when this was Murky Coffee and then always said to myself "self, I need to go there" and then the yoga location moved and I didn't go. So last night I was choosing a location for a meetup and with the aim of conversation and a warm beverage, and I chose Northside Social.
We met up at 6:30 and it was mildly crowded. I didn't venture upstairs, but I saw the sign (and it opened up my eyes...) for the wine bar upstairs. I needed to refrain from alcohol for one day so we chose to stay downstairs and I ordered the masala chai latte and and my conversation mate got green tea. We were served quickly and chose barstools at the window. Things were going well until the guy at the end of the row just began talking at an abnormal decibel. That kinda put a damper on our conversation (which wasn't private but it made hearing each other difficult!) so we didn't get further into our northside social experience. If I ever want to be one of "those people" that goes to a coffee shop to do some work or fiddle with my laptop, I may go back alone. If I can convince someone to not beat me in Monopoly with a speed dice (it exists!) then it might be fun to sit here with a small board game or deck of cards over wine or warm drinks. -
Review from Anna R.
8/29/2011
Similar to Pete's a few blocks away, this place seems to garner a lot of yelp attention. WHY?!
I didn't like its previous incarnations as a junkyard and Murky Coffee, and I'm not sure I like this hybrid lowbrow coffee stand/highbrow wine-small plates annex, either.
I've never been a big fan of coffee shops, especially since my husband, the caffeine connoisseur, has made me buy him an espresso maker three years running for his birthday.
I liked the wine bar upstairs much more when less people knew about it. The sommelier, who was very nice when it first opened, was officious with us when we stopped by last week. We hadn't stepped foot up there for months, and she was more interested in catering to the regulars, which makes me inclined not to become one.
I'm sure we'll stop by again, but we won't be making any special trips. -
Review from Anna S.
9/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
3.5 stars.
Had a delicioso breakfast sandwich with fresh spinach and poached egg here this morning. A great coffee bar with fair prices and smiling, nice people behind the counter. Why would you ever go to Starbies when there are places like this around?
Only negatives are the crowds--this place was bizarrely crowded for mid-morning on a weekday--and the noise, which was so loud that we didn't hear them calling our food and therefore didn't see it until it was cold. Given the noise in this place, I think it would behoove the owners to install a microphone for shouting out orders--that or start Nandos-style take-a-number table service. -
Review from Ben J.
Bowie, MD
This is one of my favorite places to relax in the midst of a busy city.
Northside Social Coffee & Wine has that "indie" feel that many are always chasing, not because of the endless efforts of its staff, but because it naturally attracts that scene. Its managers and workers appear as different flavors of artist, musician, and philosopher.
So the atmosphere tends to attract similar folks. Walking past the outdoor seating areas from the street parking to get to the front door demonstrates quickly that Northside gets a lot of customers, and can ably handle seating them all. Once through the front glass doors and windows, menu options reveal themselves for breakfast and lunch opportunities. But at the counter is where the fun stuff is held.
I've had a chocolate and peanut butter cookie, a sugar cookie, a bran muffin, and a raspberry rhubarb pie. With each sweet, I wasn't let down. I really enjoyed the deserts. Even after sitting out for a few hours, they deserve a taste. But it does appear that they are constantly baking more and more treats for fresh eats.
When I went for a quick drink and pie, I was tormented by the smell of grilled cheese. It was compelling enough that I ordered it when I went back. It was pretty good. Not as good as it was in my mind. The potato salad on the side was tasty. Portions were a little light, but filling enough that a dessert was still appropriate.
If you want to go to the back room where the bathrooms are held, there are several couches and wall art to enjoy. There are also some counters where someone may study. Upstairs is the wine lounging area. I had no interest, but it seems nice to be able to enjoy a drink while looking down on Clarendon.
I'll go back without hesitation. I recommend Northside to anyone who wants a break from Starbucks, or any other traditional breakfast/lunch option. You might find a new favorite. -
Review from Sherry B.
Washington, DC
9/12/2011
DRINK: I don't love the taste of the coffee and espresso drink but i love how they always make designs in the milk foam. I like how they use organic milk (that's a major plus).
DECOR: eclectic and casual with a good vibe -
Review from Sarah Jane W.
Fairfax, VA
8/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Review for Coffee/Brunch
As a total coffee snob (and we're talking I roast my own and believe anything less than a French Press is insulting to the integrity of the drink), I am in love with this place just for the coffee, but I could write a book on all the other reasons to go.
It had been a terrible morning, and after emphatically flinging my stale starbucks coffee into the trash after being lazily handed stale thermos coffee when I specifically requested a pour-over (which they do offer), I embarked on a quest to find coffee. Real coffee. I called every place in Falls Church asking if they had pour-overs. Result? Nada. I finally called Northside Social and there was a light! I made the 30-minute trek, and man was it worth it!
The service was a dream. I asked for a small pour-over coffee ($3), and the server said, "Sure, in fact, I juust made one for myself right here, but you can have it because it's ready now!" She handed me the mug with a genuine smile. Oh salvation. I took my cup of heaven upstairs to a lovely loft-type area complete with a bar. The gorgeous old wood tall chairs and tables, copious amounts of natural lighting, and walls lined with local art, created a country hospitality in the city type of ambiance. I perched on a chair in peace and wrote a letter to my grandmother while sipping my coffee. Oh the perfection.
By the time I was finished I realized it was going on the lunch hour, so I ordered a LT Goat Cheese salad. Pure culinary brilliance.
I eventually dragged myself away, reassured with the promise to return.
Bottom Line:
This place stirs up passion for local dining I didn't know I was capable of. Simply put: go. -
Review from Ben B.
New York, NY
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great coffee. Really good salmon and egg sandwich.
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Review from Max M.
Arlington, VA
12/21/2011
Love the whole space. Very trendy. Fun crowd upstairs. Bartender/Sommelier is terrific! Discovered it when my company held a Holiday party upstairs in the wine bar. Perfect space for that! Check it out.
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Review from Louis K.
Arlington, VA
11/24/2011
I've only had coffee to go here, it's good.
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Review from Ryan R.
Washington, DC
Updated - 8/5/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Came here (again) on a weekday just after opening. I really do love this place ... the atmosphere is trendy yet antique ... white antiquated wooden chairs with mismatched cushions, old sliding glass door refrigerator with quarts/gallons of milk for purchase like an old-school general store, racks of wine and a glass case filled with baker's goodies ... very hip coffee house with a modern yet old-school finish. Perfect!
Today I had my usual, black coffee but mixed it up an gave in to the muffins behind the glass window calling my name ... a Lemon-Raspberry to be exact. I had just gotten sheer moments after they came out of the oven ... they were still warm and buttery like momma use to make while you watched reruns (or the real thing) of Leave It To Beaver on your black and white. The muffin literally melted in my mouth ... it was so good it would have made the Pillsbury Dough Boy jealous! Hmmmm Ahhhhh Ohhhhh ... Northside Social!
Northside .... oh how I love thee!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/29/2011
What can I say about Northside Social, except I LOVE this place! It's a historic building just at… Read more »
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Review from Rob P.
Updated - 8/27/2011 1 photo
A year and dozens of cups of coffee later, Northside Social is still a 3-star shop.
When I lived in Arlington, I kept coming back. One reason is because there aren't a lot of fantastic options on the R-B corridor. Another reason is because I just kept hoping that Northside was going to morph into a place that I totally loved. Unfortunately, it never happened.
This is a Counter-Culture shop, which I think is one of the problems. I've learned some things about Counter Culture over the past year that make my stomach churn. I get that some people think it's the greatest thing to ever happen to coffee, but I just don't like it, sorry.
The redeeming qualities include the great patio (if you can get a seat), and the fact that Northside keeps late hours, so you can actually get a cup of coffee and sit at night.
If I still lived in Arlington, I'd come here occasionally. I just can't rave about it to anyone.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/27/2010
It pains me to give Northside Social only 3 stars. I really want to like this place. I really do.… Read more »
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Review from Jamil B.
Arlington, VA
7/7/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Yes it gets crowded on the weekends. There's a good reason though...it's THE best breakfast coffee shop in Arlington hands down.
Pros:
*Good coffee. Period...they make great coffee drinks too...but the plain old coffee is excellent.
*Great selection of pastries and even a few more hearty breakfast dishes. I won't begin to try and describe all the different dishes and selections, just be confident knowing that whatever you order is going to be FRESH and top notch quality. No frozen & thawed & nuked stuff here...
*GREAT outdoor and decent indoor seating. If it looks full, be sure to check upstairs and in the back room around the corner near the kitchen. There's usually a lot of seating available there.
*Ample parking although it's metered.
*Very reasonable pricing, not cheap as a fast food joint, but not as expensive as a full service sit down joint either. A couple can easily spend well under $20 on a full breakfast here, and under $15 on a light breakfast (including coffee & drinks).
Cons:
*Hipsters & Yuppies & Yoga Moms - I just have a hard time ignoring annoying people, you know the type; trendy/pretentious/above it all/standbehindyouandtalkincessentlyloudaboutmunda necrapwhileinline types....they seem to flock to this place. As do the typical Clarendon yuppie/fresh-outta-college/mommyboughtmeamilliondo llarcondo types.. Yoga moms that have a thing for large strollers and workout clothes seem to REALLY dig this place. They always seem to come in alone (with large stroller though), but leave with enough drinks and food for a family of 6; maybe their husbands are on house arrest?
They just annoy me. Sorry, I know it's no fault of Northside's, but be aware that you may encounter these types in large numbers if you visit here. There are some regular down to earth patrons as well, but on Saturday & Sunday mornings we tend to be vastly outnumbered.
*Wi-Fi squatters: I wish coffee shops would either ban these creeps, or make a designated back room for them to crash and clutter and spread their gear out. Preferably it'd be a dank dark basement area with poor lighting and faulty electrical wiring... At the very least, force them to take up no more space than the average patron drinking a coffee would. The wi-fi squatters here tend to plop right down on the larger tables in the center of the restaurant and take up as much surface area as they possibly can. They also seem to leave their laptops unattended for abnormally long amounts of time.
*The fixins area: The table where you can add sugar and cream to your coffee also serves as the table where you can grab silverware, free ice water, napkins, and dispose of your trash and deposit your dirty dishes. This area is a clusterfck. Between the hipsters waxing philosophical about extreme sleepovers while slowly adding 1% milk to their latte's and the soccer moms parking their bohemoth strollers RIGHT in the middle of it all while they grab napkins; it can take a while for you to grab two sugar packets and a top and be on your way.
Despite the cons, which are likely just a bad result of a GREAT business model and great business; this is a great place to become a regular. We pass several 7-Eleven's (like 10!), a few McDonalds, couple of Starbucks, and a Diner or two just to get our weekend coffee and breakfast here. It's a great place. Try it.Listed in: BEST Breakfast Spots in…
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Review from Linda T.
The hours are accommodating to night owls as they close late on weekdays as well as weekends. There is plenty of seating outside as well as inside on the first floor. I believe the upper floor is only for people using the wine bar.
I am addicted to the peach blossom tea; I get it iced or hot in multiple servings. You can refill your teapot for free.
You must also try the lime crackle cookie or the almond sugar cookie. Soft cookies! nom nom nom
The staff is amazing! It seems they always know what is good and this is partly the reason why cannot stop eating the cookies here.
