Fresh Grounds: Peregrine Espresso

For better or for worse, by this point the cup(s) of coffee has become as integral a part of the American morning as brushing teeth and combing hair. This is the age of the coffee mega-chain, the age of Venti and Grande, where millions of Americans queue up daily to get their all important caffeine fix. While America may run on Dunkin' however, the independently-owned java joint is by no means a dying breed, and there are many shining examples of this fact sprinkled amidst the Starbuck-sprawl of Washington DC. This column will be dedicated to sifting the city for these local gems, so that perhaps wherever your morning may take you it can start with some "Fresh Grounds".

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, just a few short minutes from the Eastern Market metro stop, Peregrine Espresso pairs a personal, local-establishment vibe with a winning combination of delicious baked goods and damn fine coffee.


On the topic of coffee, Peregrine offers a wide array of choices, ranging from fresh, filter-drip coffee to all the usual espresso derivations, while using only the choicest beans from the worlds top coffee growing regions. I tried (and thoroughly enjoyed) a cup of Ndaroini Microlot from Nyeri, Kenya, on of three African-grown beans served at Peregrine, allongside a handful of other offerings from Southeast Asia and South America, including their current seasonal offering, a La Golondrina from Popayan, Colombia.

For the quality of the product, the prices are more than fair, with the regular cups of coffee ranging roughly between $2.50 and $3.50, and you can add on a tasty croissant or scone for just a few bucks more.


The store is open Monday through Saturday from seven in the morning until nine at night, as well as Sundays from eight to eight, and on top of the hot beverage, is a great place to do a bit of work or read a good book. Even if your morning won't be taking you by Eastern Market, wake up a tad earlier and drop on by Peregrine Espresso and you certainly won't be disappointed.

Directions to Peregrine Espresso