The Coffee Place
About This Spot
Stepping into The Coffee Place is like finding a quiet corner of familiarity amid the usual bustle of Bethesda’s most clinical surroundings. Nestled just off a main hospital floor, it offers a calm pause—a blend of purposeful energy and gentle ease. The air hums softly with the hiss of espresso machines and the low murmur of conversations, creating a space where both hurried mornings and slower moments can comfortably coexist.
This coffee shop feels less like a stop along the way and more like a small discovery that quickly becomes part of your routine. There’s an understated warmth here, carried in the friendly exchanges between staff and visitors, in those daily nods of recognition that make the space feel quietly human. The pace moves thoughtfully—efficient but never rushed—offering a steady rhythm that suits both quick coffee runs and brief respites from the clinical world just beyond the doors.
The atmosphere invites you to linger, whether to savor a carefully crafted latte with subtle seasonal twists or enjoy a simple pastry that feels thoughtfully selected, a small kindness amid busy days. Seating options offer brief moments for regrouping, a spot to quietly reflect, or to gather with a colleague in that rare intersection of work and comfort. It’s a place attuned to the small, everyday rhythms—the daily grind softened by familiar faces and the promise of a well-made cup.
For many who pass through, The Coffee Place has become more than a coffee stop—it’s a quiet fixture, a modest gathering point within the hospital’s busy ecosystem, offering connection and calm. Whether you’re coming in between appointments, clocking a quick break, or seeking a little lift after a challenging morning, the space quietly supports you, as reliably as the coffee it serves.
What’s Available Here
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Delivery
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Great coffee
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Great tea selection
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Quick bite
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Vegetarian options
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Catering
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Dessert
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Table service
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Toilet
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Wi-Fi
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Wi-Fi
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Casual
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Family friendly
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LGBTQ+ friendly
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Locals
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Transgender safe space
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University students
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
Location & Hours
| Monday | 07:00 AM - 04:00 PM | |
| Tuesday | 07:00 AM - 04:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 07:00 AM - 04:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 07:00 AM - 04:00 PM | |
| Friday | 07:00 AM - 04:00 PM | |
| Saturday | Closed | |
| Sunday | Closed |
Justina 07 Dec 2025
I love this coffee shop - seeing Arlene working every day has become a comfort coming into work. Justin is always coming up with fun seasonal menus that I look forward to trying. I just found out that new management is taking over and I will no longer be seeing either of them; I am so disappointed to hear this. The Coffee Place had become a staple that felt like family for the staff, the patients, and the families that come here.
Elisa Ferrante 29 Nov 2025
Definitely the best and the most popular coffee shop at the NIH Clinical Center. The staff is super friendly and very efficient. The drinks come out quickly and are tasty.
Nathan Matusek 26 Nov 2025
Good coffee fast service. I wouldn't say they have a good stock of pastries as others here have said but whatever. Their garbage cans however are always filthy. Like really gross and you have to touch them to throw anything away. Surprising for a shop in a hospital/clinical setting.
Jeff Garrett 26 Nov 2025
Good food! Had a yummier vegetable wrap. Had coffee just the way I like it, w lotsa milk. It was very LA-TAY DAH!
Mya D 08 Nov 2025
I ended up getting a coffee, panini, and a donut after 31 tubes of bloodwork. You’ll find this gem right around the corner of Phlebotomy, floor 1. Espresso machines, limited but well-selected types of pastries, microwave, seating area — what else can you ask for Order (~$16) (iced) Hazel “Oat” Toffee Crunch Latte: top tier, made with a true espresso machine, theres little pieces of the crunch mixed in it. so. good. 100/10 (I’m a coffee person) Devil Chocolate Cake donut: glazed outer layer, spongy cake-like middle layer, and brownie inner layer. I promise you wont regret this one. 9.5/10 (try it warmed up) Cold Cut Panini (Italian): If you’re not in the mood for it, it’ll taste pretty ordinary, but nothing bad about that either. I enjoyed it, solid bite, 7/10
Ryan Pezold 21 Oct 2025
The best coffee you’ll find on the NIH campus, I believe. The Starbucks coffee in the lobby isn’t really Starbucks coffee
Biruk 01 Oct 2025
Fast service and great coffee. They already know my coffee order which makes me feel welcomed. Wayyy better than the Starbucks and the basic coffees at the canteens.