Open City at the Cathedral Washington DC

Coffeehouse and café

Lydia from Washington DC

""Open City at the Cathedrail" is a little cafe tucked in the shadow of Washington National Cahtedral & we love it! Try the house-made soup."

Locals sing the praises of this little cafe tucked in the shadow of Washington National Cathedral. Hovering over the Bishop's Garden, Open City at the Cathedral opened in the old baptistery (built in 1904) in 2014. The exterior of this compact Gothic stone building looks like a hobbit hole, but inside, soaring ceilings painted a deep blue give an airy feeling to the space. Locals, visitors to the Cathedral and students from nearby St. Alban's and National Cathedral School jam the space throughout the day. In fair weather, iron tables are set up al fresco in the shadow of the Cathedral, and the neighborhood pups loll in the shade.

Open City is an offshoot of Tryst, in Adams Morgan, and serves its signature Italian coffees and tea drinks, served with animal crackers to dunk. For eats, pick from to-die-for baked goods and plenty of vegetarian options among the selection of healthy light brunch and lunch fare. Pay at the counter, and a cheerful server will find you with your order. Pro tip: salads are available in half-portions, perfect if you want to try the house-made soup alongside (you do!).

Restaurants

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Washington DC Spotter Lydia

About me: The tale is in the telling. I am a storyteller, an excavator, a messenger, and for many years a journalist, with a portofolio that includes words crafted for magazines, books, online, television, newspapers, corporations and podcasts. I think everyone has a story, and everything. The person who made your coffee this morning (especially if that was you), and who picked the beans, the pedigree of the beans themselves, not to mention the arduous process of crop to cup. I do, however, prefer “inquisitive” to “nosy". An expat kid raised in the UK & Greece, I've also lived in Vie...

About this spot

3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW

Sandwich/salad:

US$

Website

2029657670

Social

Sep 22, 2025

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