Colada

Welcome to Colada, a vibrant Cuban café and bar nestled in the heart of Clarendon in Arlington, Virginia. While its classification as a "bakery" is only part of its charm, Colada is truly a fine casual spot that captures the spirit of Cuban social and culinary traditions. It’s a dynamic gathering space where the strong tradition of Cuban coffee meets a menu rich with classic Havana-inspired food, delightful pastries, and creative cocktails. For Virginia residents and visitors looking for an authentic taste of the Caribbean, Colada offers a welcoming, colorful, and lively atmosphere that’s perfect any time of day.

Colada began with a passion for the Cuban coffee tradition, aiming to spread that unique social experience—known as the colada—throughout the DMV area. The Clarendon location quickly became a popular neighborhood hub, dishing up a morning-to-night menu that caters to a range of appetites. From quick breakfast bites and savory lunch options to evening cocktails and late-night desserts, Colada is designed to be a community cornerstone where good food, great coffee, and lively conversation flow freely. It's more than just a place to grab a bite; it’s an immersive cultural experience with beachy vibes and tropical decor, including bright murals and tropical plants that create a celebratory atmosphere right here in Northern Virginia.

The menu selection goes far beyond typical baked goods, incorporating classic Cuban dishes, small plates, and a variety of freshly prepared items. You’ll find Cuban-style pastries, or pastelitos, alongside hearty sandwiches and all-day breakfast. The commitment to Cuban flavors is evident in every offering, using fresh ingredients and traditional spices to transport your taste buds to the streets of Havana. Whether you are craving a powerful shot of Cuban espresso to start your morning or a rum-focused cocktail to wind down your evening, Colada in Clarendon is a local Virginia establishment that delivers a truly unique dining experience.

The focus on community and conversation is a core part of the Colada ethos. The café is structured to foster mingling and camaraderie, featuring a spacious interior and comfortable patio seating. This commitment to being a social hub makes it a favorite spot for the Clarendon neighborhood's vibrant crowd, looking for a place to gather over tasty fare and inventive drinks.

Location and Accessibility

Colada's prime location in the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington makes it a highly accessible destination for anyone in Northern Virginia. Situated in The Crossing Clarendon development, it is easy to reach whether you are coming from work, running errands, or meeting friends for a weekend brunch.

The specified address for the location is:

2800 Clarendon Blvd unit 930, Arlington, VA 22201, USA

It is important to note that while the provided address is 2800 Clarendon Blvd, other search results suggest the primary store location is 2811 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201. This is the address often cited for their Clarendon location and phone number (571) 771-8400. Visitors should look for the vibrant Cuban-inspired café near The Crossing Clarendon. The neighborhood itself is known for its excellent walkability and proximity to public transit, making it convenient for patrons across Arlington and the wider DC Metro area. The operating hours are generally accommodating for all-day affairs: from 7:30 AM to 9 PM Sunday through Wednesday, and from 7:30 AM to 10 PM Thursday through Saturday.

Services Offered

Colada offers a broad array of services that extend far beyond a traditional bakery, positioning itself as a full-service Cuban café and bar. These services ensure that the venue is suitable for a wide variety of customer needs, from a quick coffee run to a full evening out.

• Full-Service Cuban Café: Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner options with classic Cuban cuisine.
• Specialized Coffee Bar: Serving Cuban coffee tradition, including their signature Havana Blend, Coladas (meant to be shared), Café Cubanos, and Café Con Leche, available hot or iced.
• Pastries and Dessert Selection: A dedicated "bakery" component featuring traditional Cuban pastelitos (guava, guava and cheese, sweet cream cheese, and picadillo/beef-filled), Plátano Muffins, Churros, Havana Tiramisu, and Tres Leches cake.
• Full Cocktail Bar: Specializing in rum-based classics like piña coladas and daiquiris, alongside inventive concoctions and a Latin take on the espresso martini, the Carajillo.
• Takeout Service: Conveniently available for customers on the go.
• Payment Flexibility: Accepts both credit cards and debit cards for easy transactions.
• Catering: Services available for corporate lunches, social events, and other gatherings.
• Retail & Merchandise: Offers retail versions of customer favorites, such as the Havana Blend coffee bags.
• Happy Hour: Daily specials on cocktails and small bites, typically in the late afternoon/early evening.
• Online Ordering: Available for both delivery and pickup.
• Kid's Menu: Provides meal options suitable for younger diners.

Features / Highlights

Colada’s unique features make it stand out as a top destination in the Arlington food scene, blending authentic Cuban culture with modern hospitality and convenience.

• Cuban Coffee Tradition: The core of Colada's identity, focusing on the shared social ritual of the colada and serving richly flavored Cuban-style coffees.
• Signature Cuban Sandwich: A menu highlight, featuring ham, slow-roasted pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, housemade pickles, and cilantro aioli on authentic Cuban bread.
• Pastelitos and Cuban Desserts: A celebrated feature for those seeking sweet treats, offering various filled pastelitos, Tres Leches, Key Lime Pie, and Churros.
• Vibrant Caribbean Atmosphere: The interior boasts bright colors, dynamic wall murals painted by Dominican artist Kilia Llano, and tropical plants, creating a lively, beachy, and celebratory vibe.
• All-Day Offerings: A menu that seamlessly transitions from breakfast to lunch to dinner, including all-day breakfast, Cuban-style small plates like empanadas and croquetas, and hearty classics like Ropa Vieja sliders.
• Extensive Cocktail Program: Featuring a large bar area that is "bar-forward" and social-focused, serving tropical and rum-focused drinks like the Carajillo and the Guava Leaf Negroni.
• Accessibility and Comfort: The facility includes amenities such as accessible restrooms, wheelchair-accessible tables, and widened or automatic doors, ensuring a welcoming environment for all patrons. They also offer semi-private dining options and spaces for both small and large groups, with capacities for standing receptions and seated banquets.

Contact Information

For those in Arlington, Virginia, and the surrounding DMV area, Colada Clarendon is ready to serve you.

Address: 2811 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201 (Note: Some directories list a nearby unit number, but 2811 Clarendon Blvd is the commonly cited address for the location in The Crossing Clarendon).

Phone: (571) 771-8400

What is Worth Choosing

When considering where to spend your time and money in the competitive Arlington dining landscape, Colada offers a unique and compelling value proposition that makes it a top choice for locals in Virginia. What sets Colada apart is its successful fusion of a high-quality coffee house, a Cuban restaurant, and a full bar, all wrapped up in an irresistibly vibrant, social setting.

First and foremost, the authenticity of the Cuban experience is a major draw. The coffee is not just a beverage; it’s an experience, steeped in the social tradition of the colada meant for sharing. For the coffee aficionado, the signature Cuban coffee selections, such as the classic Café Con Leche with its sweet Cuban crema, are a must-try.

For food lovers, Colada is worth choosing for its famous Colada Shop Cuban sandwich. This is an expertly crafted classic, featuring slow-roasted pork and housemade pickles that elevate the traditional favorite. Beyond the Cuban sandwich, the all-day Cuban food menu provides excellent variety. Customers rave about the crispy Croquetas (bechamel fritters) and the savory Empanadas Duo, which make for perfect small plates or appetizers, ideal for sharing during a happy hour.

As a "bakery" specializing in Cuban and Caribbean treats, the Pastelitos—especially the Guava and Cheese—are a highlight that rivals any traditional bakery offering. These flaky, buttery pastries, along with rich desserts like the Tres Leches or the Havana Tiramisu, provide a delicious, unique alternative to conventional cakes and sweets.

Finally, for those looking for a lively evening spot, the extensive, "bar-forward" cocktail menu is a key reason to choose Colada. The colorful, rum-focused drinks, coupled with the energetic atmosphere and daily happy hour specials, make it a premier location for an after-work gathering or a weekend night out in Clarendon. It successfully blends the quick-visit convenience of a coffee shop with the full dining and social experience of a bar, ensuring there is always a reason to stop by, morning, noon, or night. For Virginia residents seeking a splash of Caribbean flair and flavor, Colada in Arlington delivers an unforgettable and entirely enjoyable local experience.

Colada

2800 Clarendon Blvd unit 930, Arlington, VA 22201, USA