Tryst

Tryst has been a fixture of 18th Street in Adams Morgan since 1998, and it describes itself as a coffeehouse at dawn, a restaurant by afternoon and a bar in the evening. That changing personality is the reason to come: it is the kind of place where you can arrive for a morning coffee and still find people talking over cocktails at night.

The menu covers coffee and handcrafted drinks, house-made pastries and breakfast served all day, along with more substantial food later on and a list of creative cocktails. There are separate menus for food and coffee, the bar, happy hour and seasonal specials, so check which is running when you arrive. Online ordering is available for delivery and carryout if you would rather eat elsewhere.

Tryst opens at 7am every day. It closes at 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday and at midnight from Thursday to Saturday. Mornings and early afternoons are good for a quiet coffee and breakfast; evenings are busier and more social, particularly at the weekend. If you plan to work on a laptop, note that the café states that you use devices at your own risk and that it is not responsible for loss or damage.

The café also runs a programme of events, music and art, and it can be booked for private events. A rewards programme is available for regulars. Note that the website links to a page about a service fee, so read it before paying if you want to understand how the bill is made up.

Tryst suits solo travellers, students, friends catching up and anyone who wants a relaxed base in a lively neighbourhood. It is also an easy choice for a late breakfast after a night out in Adams Morgan. Allow as long as you like; this is a place for lingering rather than a quick takeaway. Check the events calendar online if you want to time a visit with music.

Adams Morgan is known for its bars, restaurants and nightlife along 18th Street, and Tryst sits in the middle of it. The LINE DC hotel is a few minutes away on foot, and Jack Rose Dining Saloon is further down 18th Street for an evening drink.