One of Silver Spring’s Top Independent Coffee Shops Is Expanding to Clarendon

Kaldi’s Social House, a welcoming, Ethiopian-owned cafe that has become a cornerstone in Silver Spring, plans to open a second location this winter that will be blocks away from the Clarendon Metro station.

ARLnow spotted a wrap ad for an incoming Kaldi’s at the Ten at Clarendon building (3110 10th Street) and spoke to an employee that says the new shop is expected to open in December.

Owner Tsega Hailemariam opened the original Kaldi’s Coffee at 918 Silver Spring Avenue in 2013, drawing attention from the Washington Post for a high-tech (but finicky) Steampunk brewing system.

With plush leather chairs in an open, industrial space and a menu full of sandwiches and sweets, Kaldi’s quickly became a popular spot. Hailemariam has since doubled the space, added alcoholic drinks, and opened a rooftop bar. These days the menu includes a variety of toasts — including a peanut butter and jelly with nutella and house preserves — strawberry cheesecake waffles, flatbreads, and Old Bay wings.

The Clarendon Kaldi’s will have several established competitors nearby, including Coffee + Juice — a collaboration between South Block and Grace Street Coffee — Northside Social, and Peet’s.

• Coffee Shop Kaldi’s Social House Coming to Clarendon [ARLnow]
• 14 Essential Coffee Shops Across D.C. [EDC]