Garden Cafe

2116 F St NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States
+1 202-861-0331
$$$ Cafe
(90 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

If you're seeking a delightful retreat during your visit to the National Gallery of Art, look no further than the Garden Cafe, conveniently located at 2116 F St NW, Washington, DC. This charming cafe serves as more than just a dining spot; it’s a nurturing sanctuary where art lovers and busy professionals alike can recharge.

With a menu designed to please various palates, Garden Cafe offers a delectable range of snacks, soups, pastries, and desserts, all curated to complement your art experience. Here, you can savor treats like the refreshing Fruit Cups ($5) or the tender Apple Cider Doughnuts ($6) that meld together the comforting flavors of autumn. If you lean towards something hearty, the Daily Soup Special ($6) is sure to warm your soul, crafted with seasonal ingredients to highlight the tastes of the moment.

But it’s not just about the food; the atmosphere at Garden Cafe is simply enchanting. Adorned with lush greenery, this cafe encapsulates a serene and inviting vibe, perfect for unwinding. Although some menu items have faced mixed reviews for portion sizes, such as the Quiche Du Jour, where guests like Hilda Kroll noted the petite size but acknowledged its rich flavors. Others found success in experience with dishes like the Garden Summer Flatbread and the Sesame Quinoa Salad, praised by Nathan Day for their excellent flavors and quick service.

The cafe is also a hub for Lavazza coffee lovers, ensuring you sip on a quality brew while indulging in your treats. With friendly staff eager to assist, the warm and bustling environment makes it an ideal stop for a quick meal or a leisurely chat amid art and beauty.

While the reviews vary, many guests find the Garden Cafe a worthy pause in their art exploration, relishing its charm and comfort. Whether you're winding down after a day of cultural immersion or simply catching up with a friend over a slice of the rich French Opera Cake, Garden Cafe promises a slice of solace in the heart of Washington, DC.

Be sure to swing by, take in the beauty surrounding you, and leave refreshed, recharged, and ready to dive back into the world of creativity!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair accessible entrance
Has wheelchair accessible restroom
Has wheelchair accessible seating
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeout
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great coffee
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves hard liquor
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar onsite
Has restroom
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

,

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

,

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

,

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

,

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday

7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

,

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sunday

7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

90 Reviews
Anya

20 Sep 2025

The garden café at the National Gallery of Art offers a beautiful and serene environment, allowing the perfect break for a visit to the museum. However, the food was less satisfying in its portion size. I had a quiche, which was really nice, but honestly, compared to the price, it was really, really tiny. It is served with a mountain of salad but doesn't taste good at all, which was kind of a letdown. My brother took the daily soup and enjoyed it, but it was quite small. The food, all in all, was a 3/5, good taste but portions too small for the price. At least the iced tea was refreshing, and the personnel are overly friendly; that brightens things up a bit. If you fancy a light snack in a nice environment, have a go at this café, although don't expect big portions.

Henry Zhang

09 Sep 2025

I ordered 3 items, only the French Opera Cake tasted good. The cake had a rich chocolate flavor, not too sweet, and a firm texture. I personally recommend it. The Tuna Steak Tartare tasted horrible, I like raw tuna and salmon. But under a few pieces of tuna was a pile of tasteless avocado, they were tasteless and inedible. The only flavor was probably a little bit lemon juice, and I wouldn’t have known how to eat it without the bread. That cup of Americano was the worst coffee I had in maybe half year. It was just like water and had no aroma.

Hilda Kroll

16 Jul 2025

The last time I ate here, my Quiche Du Jour ($13.50), a spinache and cheese mini with a side salad, was so small, I actually laughed when I saw it. No refills for the $4 iced tea. This time I ordered the Autumn Salad ($14) and it was delicious.

Nathan Day

12 Jun 2025

Great service. Very quick delivery of our lunch. I ordered the Garden Summer Flatbread. My wife had the Sesame Quinoa Salad. Both were really well done. Excellent flavors. Great Cafe to go to if you are at the National Gallery of Art.

Richard Chu

01 Jun 2025

It is located inside the National Gallery of Art. It is a busy cafe that attracts not only the art gallery visitors but also business people from the offices around. Staff are nice and helpful. They served Lavazza coffee.

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