YELLOW Georgetown

"It’s hard to imagine having a bad day if it starts with an orange blossom croissant and a coconut cardamom iced coffee at Yellow. It’s easy to get lost in the café’s pastries, and you’ll want to eventually try them all (the date and labneh coffee cake and pistachio Palestinian olive oil cake, for starters) but don’t let their sweets make you overlook their savory options. The wood-fired pitas with lamb hummus and the BBQ harissa cauliflower pita will make you want to stay all day. If your plan is to settle in for a long haul, just know that the small space doesn’t allow laptops, so come with a good book or just enjoy your meal in peace." - madeline weinfield

"This former Navy Yard café was once next to its sister restaurant, Albi, but has since found new life in Georgetown and Union Market. We’re partial to the Georgetown location for its proximity to shopping and retail, and the plush couches provide a nice spot to people-watch or read a paperback from Politics and Prose. Both cafés have solid breakfast options that tend to sell out quickly, so the sooner you can scoot on in, the better. Our latest obsessions are the cardamom chocolate cruffin—that’s a combo we didn’t know we needed—and the super-stuffed BBQ cauliflower pita that’s so huge, you could probably save half of it for a snack later." - omnia saed, mekita rivas, tess shiras

"Yellow is a cafe known for its hefty, wood-fired, za’atar-dusted pitas. The pitas are described as being of higher quality than typical supermarket offerings and can enhance home-cooked meals. They are available in a six-pack for $15 and are also on the menu at the Union Market location. They freeze well, making them a convenient option for future use." - Missy Frederick

"Michelin-rated Albi’s sibling Levantine cafe debuted standalone digs in Georgetown to go along with the Navy Yard original. French patisserie classics with Arabic flavors in morning sweets such as labneh croissants dusted in za’atar or an olive oil basbousa (Lebanese semolina cake). Owner Michael Rafidi also makes sfeeha (meat pies) for the morning crowd. Hours start at 8 a.m., and its Navy Yard locale is only open on weekends." - Tierney Plumb, Tim Ebner

"This Levantine all-day cafe is from the team behind Albi, and it’s an incredibly charming place to spend an afternoon—pops of saffron yellow splash across the wall and line the windows looking out on the bustling crowds on Wisconsin Ave. The pastries, like their orange blossom croissant or date and labne coffee cake, can make any day better. Pair either with the coconut cardamom iced coffee for the ultimate snack." - joe brantlinger, tristiana hinton, omnia saed