Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe - Penn Quarter

555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
+1 202-516-4797
$$$ Cafe , Bakery , Breakfast restaurant , Caterer , Coffee shop , Diner , Donut shop
(81 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe - Penn Quarter sits just a block behind the National Gallery of Art and near the Canadian Embassy, making it a convenient stop for anyone exploring the heart of DC’s museum district. This spot fits best in the café category, offering a casual yet lively atmosphere where locals and visitors alike drop in for quality coffee, fresh doughnuts, and a light breakfast or snack.

Inside, the space balances cozy seating with practical layout — there are a handful of low tables, bar-style seats around the perimeter, and a couple of high tables. Though the indoor area is on the compact side, it manages to feel inviting rather than cramped. On fair-weather days, the front patio becomes a real draw, with room for around six tables that catch sunlight and street energy from Pennsylvania Avenue.

Good Company serves as more than just a quick caffeine stop. The menu includes nuanced selections like oatmeal with a boost of seeds and nuts, basil pesto pasta, and a variety of chicken fingers, alongside their star offerings: handcrafted, seasonally rotating yeasted and cake doughnuts. Doughnut lovers appreciate not only the traditional raised and cake varieties but also the option to mix and sample different doughnut holes — a handy feature for those wanting to keep sugar intake moderate without missing out on flavor.

The vibe here tends toward comfortable and easygoing, with staff known for friendly and attentive service. It's the kind of place where a group, like a local book club, can comfortably settle in for a Sunday morning chatter session, or solo visitors can enjoy a languid coffee and pastry while people-watching or warming up from a museum visit nearby. The café is also welcoming to families, with menu items that kids tend to enjoy, such as pancakes and doughnuts.

Morning to mid-morning is an especially good time to visit — the café is lively, but not overwhelming, making it a practical spot for breakfast or a late morning treat. On slower days, the service pace is relaxed and attentive, which can turn a quick stop into a more leisurely pause in the day.

In terms of drinks, the emphasis on quality coffee shines through, with offerings like rich hot chocolates and the option to take home concentrated chai for DIY chai lattes. This aligns well with the café’s overall feel: approachable but thoughtfully curated, comfortable but not overly casual.

Whether you’re looking for a pit stop while wandering the National Mall, a sweet selection to satisfy a doughnut craving, or a welcoming corner for morning meetings and quiet reading, Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe offers a slice of neighborhood life in central DC, balanced with enough variety and warmth to feel like a reliable local base.

Highlights
Fast service
Great coffee
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
What they serve
Alcohol
Beer
Coffee
Comfort food
Happy-hour drinks
Happy-hour food
Organic dishes
Prepared foods
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine
Best for
Breakfast
Lunch
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Parking
Parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

07:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Tuesday

07:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Wednesday

07:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Thursday

07:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Friday

07:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Saturday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Sunday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

81 Reviews
Darcy Collins

04 Jan 2026

My book club met here this month. We met at 11am on a Sunday and had no problem fitting 7 of us at a corner booth/table meant for 5. There are about 6 low top tables as well as some bar style seats around the perimeter and high tables. If it’s a nice day, they have a really nice patio out front with probably 6 more tables. I think this location is pretty new. I’ve been to the one in SW before and this is on par. Good place to do some studying, reading, meet up for breakfast/coffee with people, escape the mall for a minute and rest with a donut…I had a scone and an herbal iced tea but everyone else got donuts - nobody had leftovers. Their mini donuts are really great for a “why pick only one?” Mood. I’m glad to see Good Company Doughnuts in DC! I missed them when I left Virginia

leticia skae

16 Dec 2025

Loved the donuts! I especially love the mini-donuts because I love sampling different flavors but can’t eat a lot of sugar. Great service! Everyone was very nice to us, especially since we were unfamiliar with the spot. It was busy, which means it’s a popular spot. After trying the food, I can see why.

Ngân Trần

23 Nov 2025

The best cafe I've been to during my 5-week stay across 5 states in the U.S. Definitely recommend getting The King's Hot Chocolate, very rich & heart-warming The drink, the service, and the atmosphere are all amazing, even on a rainy day. Check out the photos below for my detailed review and I believe you would love to come here as well Good Company, thank you so much for the experience!

Jason Morgan (The LAND of Beer)

08 Nov 2025

Stopped in between the holidays so it was less busy; however, the service was quick and friendly. The food was good, we ordered some doughnuts, pancakes, and eggs, all were very delicious, kids loved the pancakes! Would definitely stop in again next time in DC!

Mark Leidich

20 Oct 2025

Truly great coffee shop a block behind the National Art Gallery and next to the Canadian Embassy. Pleasant atmosphere to kill time waiting for the 10:00 am open of the museums along the Mall. Small bites looked good, I couldn’t resist the Lemon Ginger Cream doughnut (it was my intent to just grab a coffee - I did, at first - but then went back for more!). The latte was great and so was the standard drip.

Elena Yigit

14 Oct 2025

We visited Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe in Penn Quarter while exploring Washington, DC, and it was such a treat! We came here for breakfast and brunch with a friend, and everything was fabulous. The sandwiches were fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a meal. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area – we’ll definitely be coming back next time we’re in DC!

Steven B

17 Sep 2025

Good Company has a nice patio setup with plenty of seating and umbrellas, which made it a comfortable spot to enjoy breakfast. Inside was pretty busy but the food did not take too long to come out. The doughnuts were fresh and tasty and definitely the highlight of the meal, although the final bill felt a little on the pricey side. The iced coffee had a slightly burnt taste and the sausage was on the salty end, but the breakfast sandwiches were satisfying overall. A solid spot worth checking out, especially for the doughnuts. Some of the other photos here are definitely not from this exact location.

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