Image: Falafel Pita
Last Updated: May 2025
Overview:
Yellow started as a side-kick to its fine-dining elder sibling Albi. For breakfast they offer French style pastries with Levantine flavors, which results in wonderful things like a croissant with Za’atar or a honey almond date bun. At lunch things move to the flavor-bombs we have come to expect from Michael Rafridi. The pita sandwiches are very good – the lamb pita made Tim Carman’s DC sandwich highlight list. The original location at Navy Yard is now closed. Fear not, in late 2022, a second location with a café-like space opened on Wisconsin in Georgetown next to Lutèce (is there a stronger pairing in D.C.?). Then, a larger location opened in Union Market. That location includes a sit-down kebab menu (reservations on Resy), and the divine La’ Shukran down the alley in back.
From the get go, coffee service has been an area of emphasis. Beyond the pastries and sandwiches you can go healthier with a salad or indulge even more with sweets like cookies. They also sell pita by the bag to extend the joy in between visits.
Late in 2023, they started offering an evening service of (Not) Pizza at the Georgetown location. The sourdough crust, Neapolitan style pies come with toppings and flavorings to match the Middle Eastern day-time cuisine. Appetizers like a chunky Fattoush salad and creamy roasted carrots are also offered. It immediately becomes a top tier pizza option in D.C. Soft-serve labne closes out the meal. Cocktails and a limited choice of wines are available. Reservations are available for dinner and recommended.
Other Guidance: Both locations are located at street level with no steps to enter, with bathrooms on the same floor. The bakery focus makes it a bit of a lift for GF, but vegetarians can do well.
Summary:
Cuisine: Eastern Mediterranean
Locations:
Georgetown: 1524 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
Union Market: 417 Morse St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Website: https://www.yellowthecafe.com/
Reservations: Walk-in
Other Critics/Voices:
Washington Post: Tom’s positive take – joint review with Baker’s Daughter. Tim’s sandwich round-up.
Washingtonian – 10 breakfast spots worth rolling out of bed for.
WCP – Laura gives the interesting story on the manager/coffee director.
Michelin: Earned a Bib Gourmand in 2023.
