The cold morning air whipped across our faces and our feet pounded against the sidewalk, moving in great bounds as we ran down the hill on 14th Street. Coins sprang from my roommate’s pocket and I felt my elastic hair tie slowly loosening down my ponytail. It was 8:36AM and according to our calculations, if we just sprinted for 2-3 blocks on our way to work, we would save ourselves enough time to stop into Slipstream before work for a cinnamon roll. If we were sweaty when we arrived at work, it wouldn’t matter, so long as we each had a giant pastry in hand.
It may be the best cinnamon roll in town. Wydown tries, and that’s endearing, but these rolls (made in house) at Slipstream are drool inducing. One of the few baked goods you can watch them pull from the oven—they’re oversized, soft, warm, and slathered in a thick layer of cream cheese frosting.
On a more recent cinnamon roll stop, I happened to pop in early during Pride Weekend. And pride they had.
Staff wore rainbow pins and the music was thoughtfully selected: Queue “It’s Raining Men,” “I’m Every Woman,” and plenty of Lady Gaga. As customer after customer ordered, I found it fascinating to note that everyone ordered avocado toast. As I sat licking my sugar coated thumb and pointer finger, everyone else was enjoying their toasts. The exception to the rule was one Lululemon clad woman who had opted for avocado toast, sans toast. Yes. You read that correctly. It consisted of a tiny bowl of avocado, an egg, and a bowl of berries and grapes. No judgment, but I felt a lot of judgment.
You can sit along the long curved bar or on multiple tables. Outside, a thin high piece of wood allows for seating in front of the café. White painted birch wood and grey cement floors offer a cool vibe that people eat right up (in addition to their avocado toast).
I’ve come across a rather bitter waitress twice now, but the other staff are always helpful and the servers are extremely attentive. Cinnamon roll fanatics—you must come here. Have I waited an hour just to get the cinnamon roll on a weekend? I admit it unabashedly.
Did a pleasant server bring me napkins unsolicited when she saw how covered in frosting I’d become? Yes, also true.
I’ve had some negative experiences here (throwback to when the rude waitress questioned if my friend was attempting to get brunch without paying…. very strange), but overall this place offers a clean aesthetic that everyone seems to love and excellent espresso/coffee beverages. Sit under the awning out front, the soft wind blowing on you as you sip your latte with homemade cashew/almond milk. You won’t be disappointed. Heck, go all in and order that avocado toast too.
Stats
Price of a 12oz coffee: $3
Adult beverages: Yes
Vibe: Clean and minimalist.
Music: Hip and with it.
Work/Study Spot?: Yes.
Wifi: Yes.
Food: Toasts and light foods.
Punch Card: No.
Coffee Sourcing: Ceremony, Sightglass, and Madcap
Milk Options: House-made almond cashew milk
Website: slipstreamdc.com
Hours:
Mon – Thurs (7AM-10PM)
Fri (7AM-11:30PM)
Sat (8AM-11:30PM)
Sun (8AM-8PM)
Location:
1333 14th St
Washington, DC 20005