Teaism Penn Quarter

A great spot for a quick bite to eat or for settling down to study / work / chat with a nice pot of tea! Sandwiched between a row of the Smithsonians and Ford's Theatre, Teaism is a breath of calm, fresh air in the hustle and bustle of downtown D.C.'s tourist attractions. It's a wonderful, quiet spot to study or have a long chat with someone without being interrupted or feeling rushed by a constant stream of people. The few seats upstairs tend to be a bit busier with guests coming in and out, ordering at the counter, or picking up food / dropping off dishes; however, they have a huge downstairs section with a bunch of seating where you'll be completely undisturbed. I love how expansive their tea menu is, and the staff is super patient and friendly; they're happy to help you decide which of their many hot / iced teas to go for (as well as list out a number of back-up options for your next visit)! The hot tea comes in a small teapot, and you can enjoy 5-6 cups. If you're in the mood for food, Teaism also has a number of affordable and tasty dishes, including their bento boxes. I'm a huge fan of their Grilled Salmon Bento, which centers on a perfectly grilled fillet of salmon, which pairs delightfully with their citrusy yuzu dipping sauce. It comes with their classic bento sides -- broccoli with another citrusy sauce, miso sweet potatoes, and a hearty scoop of brown rice. The sides rotate every now and then based on the season, but every single one is incredible. To round out the meal, their Hempheart Cookie, despite sounding terrifying, is not only gluten-free, but also delicious -- it's not overly sweet (and has absolutely no hemp flavor), and I love the dried cherries. All in all, Teaism is a great spot if you just need a quiet place to decompress from all the tourism, chat with a friend, or work / study. They have a fantastic selection of tea, as well as a tasty and relatively cheap selection of food items. Teaism has definitely made it onto my usual rotation of quick lunch spots / weekend stops, and I can't wait to come back and try out more of their wonderful teas!

I came here today and I fear I’ve made a bad impression for the staff so I decided to at least do a review to boost their business as an apology. This was the first place I’ve ever eaten at first time I traveled to DC. It has a lot of sentimental values, and I love love love love love their salmon bento. Delicious. I stop by every time I’m in town so I can be reminded of their salmon bento. A good variety of items and a very kind team of staff. Please do check it out. My friend got a Korean brisket sandwich and it was one of the best bread we’ve had here.

Excellent place! So glad I decided to stop by here before the movies. A nice spot to grab some authentic flavored Japanese food made by the divine team. I’m so glad this place has weathered the many storms in recent years. Lots of locals come here specifically for the many delicacies. I thoroughly enjoyed the okinomiyaki. It even came w the katsuobushi that freaks out many Americans because the heat from the food make the flakes move, seemingly alive, lol! It’s taste rivaled that of what I had in Japan most recently. The restaurant has an easy casual vibe, that can be enjoyed alone or w a group. The staff are friendly and helpful. Im going to make this a staple for every time I go to the movies!

One of my favorite places :) I’ve been here many times! I personally love tea and they have many varieties to choose from. Atmosphere is nice, quick food preparation (you order at a counter and pick it up there too so no traditional waiter service). Downstairs area is huge! It has an adjacent. I love the chicken curry, the vegetable kebab is nice and smoky/charred. Fairly priced. The pancake is delicious too!