Coffee shops

St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub - Fairlington

A 22-seat kitchen run by Eleni & Yassine, serving the dishes their grandmothers argued about on Tuesday nights in Kreuzberg.

1536 Kenwood Ave, Alexandria, VA 22302, United States $10–20
4.1
136 notes from regulars
01 The story, in three paragraphs

Why everyone keeps coming back.

St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub - Fairlington is a vibrant neighborhood coffee shop located at 1536 Kenwood Ave in Alexandria, VA, that brilliantly blends a welcoming atmosphere with an impressive selection of beverages and fresh baked goods. This coffee pub delivers more than just your typical caffeine fix—it offers an inviting space where locals and visitors alike can savor carefully crafted drinks and delicious pastries, while enjoying a cozy setting that inspires both casual meetups and focused work sessions.

The café specializes in an array of iced coffee and espresso drinks that cater to diverse tastes. From the smooth, invigorating Iced Drip Coffee to creamy delights like the Iced Mocha Latte and the Iced Cafe Au Lait, every sip feels refreshing and expertly balanced. For those craving a richer experience, the Nitro Draft Brew—rotating selections including CC Hologram and Heart Roasters—offers a velvety texture and deep complexity that elevate your coffee moment. The quality shines through, making each beverage an enticing invitation to pause and indulge.

Complementing the drinks is a curated menu of muffins and snacks that provide sweet and wholesome bites throughout the day. Their Morning Glory Muffin, vegan and bursting with natural flavors, stands out as a flavorful, guilt-free option. Traditional favorites such as the Red Velvet Muffin and Chocolate Chip Muffins offer a nostalgic sweetness, perfectly paired with your coffee. For lighter fare, the homemade Chia Pudding with fresh berries or a Fresh Fruit Cup bring natural, refreshing notes to your palate, catering to health-conscious patrons without sacrificing taste.

Guests frequently praise the breakfast sandwiches, which are served all day and reportedly deliver a hearty and satisfying start to any morning. The Westford sandwich with its fresh salmon and creamy vegetable cream cheese has an irresistibly delicate flavor, while the classic breakfast sandwich featuring eggs, cheese, and bacon on grain bread is both comforting and substantial. The bread itself is celebrated for its quality, making each bite a savory experience. These sandwiches seem to steal the spotlight for many customers, adding a delicious, filling touch beyond the coffee offerings.

St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub also excels in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Spanning two levels, it provides abundant seating options with plenty of natural light and accessible outlets—perfect for those looking to work remotely or catch up with friends. The ambient music selection is both fitting and enjoyable, enhancing the overall experience without overwhelming conversation or concentration. Customers appreciate the clean, inviting space and courteous staff, which contribute to a relaxed vibe that encourages lingering over drinks and pastries.

Whether you’re looking for a quick coffee pick-me-up, a cozy spot for a casual meeting, or a laid-back place to enjoy a decadent muffin and fresh fruit, St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub in Fairlington impresses with its thoughtful menu, vibrant atmosphere, and dedication to quality. This local gem is undeniably more than just a coffee shop—it’s a comforting retreat where flavors, ambiance, and community come together with seamless harmony.

03 Notes from regulars

136 notes — the real pulse of the room.

4.1
Based on 136 verified notes
5 86
4 19
3 19
2 8
1 12
All Sandwiches Upstairs Seating Espresso Cherry Blossom Latte Bagels Cinnamon Roll Friendly Staff Turkey Reuben Pastries Cashless Payment
The Traveling Foodie.
3 month ago
The breakfast sandwiches are insane. The Westford sandwich with the salmon was super fresh with a creamy veggie cream cheese. The regular breakfast sandwich with two eggs, cheese, bacon on the grain bread was delish. Service was expedient. A bit pricey and the coffee was so so, bit the sandwiches make up for the coffee! Lots of pastries to select from, chocolate croissants, butter croissants, blueberry scones, baklava, yoghurt parfaits, fruit cups. Worth the stop if you are in the area and need a breakfast fix.
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Weekend Warrior.
3 month ago
I really like this coffee shop. The salmon to toast ratio is great, and the coffee came out fast. Their ice mocha was excellent. Decent amount of space to do work in, as well as multiple outlets to plug things in.
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Jeff Pennington, Realtor.
5 month ago
Really love this coffee spot. Great location, 2 levels for plenty of seating, good atmosphere and music. Found this a perfect place for a meetup and coffee was great too.
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Frenchvision Johnson.
5 month ago
This was a fun visit. The options were plentiful and tasty. The music selection had a nice variety which was coffee-shop-appropriate. The establishment was clean and very welcoming. The pastry option looked good evening though we didn't indulge. Instead, we had a "Kenwood" which was delicious. We also had "Turkey Reuben" which was amazing if you enjoy sauerkraut. We also had a cherry blossom latte AND cherry blossom Chai. Both are good options. The esthetics are simple enough not to be a distraction while working. There is work space on the second level. Only thing this location is missing is PLANTS! lol
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Belinda M Vallarino Cermola.
5 month ago
Loved this place for breakfast (which is served all day btw). The sandwiches are sooo good and tasty and the bread offering is great as well. Pastries of all sorts, we had the freshest cinnamon roll w/cream cheese icing ever and the coffees are tasty and they also offer smoothies and the equivalent to a Frapuccino. The staff is very courteous and the place is clean and great music and atmosphere. Had a great time and they have a second floor also with windows to get some sun and do people watching. They have 2 other locations so if you are in the area make it a point to stop here!
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Marie Pierce.
5 month ago
Ordered a latte with their homemade cinnamon syrup and a breakfast burrito. The latte was like a cinnabon in a cup and the burrito smelled and tasted delicious. The customer service was very nice. I would stop in again if my son's sports bring us back to the area.
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Fikir Abshiro.
5 month ago
Amazing coffee, even better customer service. Alem is amazing and her the drinks she makes and plus the whole staff is so friendly
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Katie Thigpen.
6 month ago
First time at St. Elmo’s in Fairlington and I’ll be back! I got tea and the turkey reuben for lunch. Both were very tasty! The sandwich was made fresh right after I ordered it. They have a larger menu than expected and a lot of delicious looking pastries. I plan on going back to try the coffee and other food options.
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04 When to visit & how to find us

Hours & the door on Bergmannstraße.

Opening hours
Monday (today) 07:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tuesday 07:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wednesday 07:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thursday 07:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Friday 07:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Saturday 07:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sunday 07:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Finding the door

1536 Kenwood Ave, Alexandria, VA 22302, United States

05 What makes this place friendly

The details you usually have to call and ask.

Service options
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
  • No Delivery
Highlights
  • Great coffee
  • Great tea selection
Popular for
  • Breakfast
  • Solo dining
  • Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
Offerings
  • Coffee
  • Quick bite
Dining options
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dessert
  • No Table service
Amenities
  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Trendy
Planning
  • No Accepts reservations
Payments
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
Children
  • Good for kids
Parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
  • Parking
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