Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Arguably one of the best parts of living in the Washington, D.C. area is the proximity to the rich culinary fusion that characterizes many local restaurants and cafes, which offers customers a selection of flavors from all over the world. Local chain Tatte Bakery & Cafe perfectly reflects this, with a unique, global twist on traditional American breakfast. Founded by the iconic Boston-based pastry chef Tzurit Or, Tatte opened its Clarendon location in 2021, and just recently opened its Reston location in November of 2023.
Tatte looks as though it was straight off an influencer’s Instagram story. Decorated simplistically, the bakery follows a modern theme with white tile walls and black accents. At the Clarendon location, customers are greeted with an inviting display of beautiful pastries, surrounded by window-facing tables that line the walls. At the center of the cafe is a circular coffee bar, where baristas prepare elaborate drinks in real time. At the back of the cafe are small tables and comfy chairs, perfect for a cozy catch-up or coffee date.
While their ambiance leaves little more to be desired, Tatte’s menu is definitely the best part of their establishment, as it offers a variety of options, from classic breakfasts to trending dishes like shakshuka or tartines. The halloumi and sunny-side up breakfast sandwich ($9.85) on fresh challah bread—a hallmark of Ashkenazi cuisine—was a perfect fusion. The saltiness of the cheese blended perfectly with the egg and soft bread, and the cooked spinach and tomato toppings added a perfect pop of flavor that put this sandwich over the top.
In addition to their extensive breakfast and lunch menu, Tatte offers an array of fresh pastries beyond those offered at traditional bakeries. Their vanilla sugar donut ($4) was incredibly soft and pillowy, and doused in a hefty layer of cinnamon sugar. While slightly dry, this donut was flaky and far surpassed those of classic chains like Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme.
Where Tatte really stood out, however, was with their prosciutto, squash, and pomegranate tartine ($13). Served on house-made sourdough bread, this delicacy piled a variety of roasted and sautéed fruits and vegetables, plus perfectly-salted prosciutto, to create a colorful and flavorful must-have meal.
Yet another aspect of Tatte’s extensive menu is their specialty coffee and teas. Their house-made iced latte ordered with almond milk ($5.50), contained espresso, sesame and cardamom flavoring, creating a unique and delicious savory coffee drink.
With exceptional food and a delightful atmosphere, Tatte Bakery & Cafe is definitely worth the trip to Clarendon. One thing to keep in mind, however, is their relatively high prices that make them slightly less accessible to the average high schooler. Otherwise, this trendy and delicious cafe is guaranteed to leave you wanting more, and is perfect for everything from a first date to an afternoon spent studying.
