Welcome to Mars Cafe
**OUR STORY: Mars Cafe**
Nestled within the iconic Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC, Mars Cafe crafts a unique culinary experience that perfectly complements your museum visit. Known for its welcoming ambiance and attentive service, the café specializes in delightful offerings such as the Pesto Mozzarella Sandwich and savory Black Forest Ham & Cheese on a pretzel bun. Guests can sip on expertly brewed Chesapeake "Bird Friendly" Coffee or indulge in a rich Lunar Hot Chocolate. While some may find the prices steep, the quality and ambiance make Mars Cafe a worthy stop for lunch, elevating museum exploration into a flavorful journey.
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600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560 Hotline:
Welcome to Mars Cafe: A Culinary Oasis in the Air & Space Museum
Located within the iconic Air & Space Museum, Mars Cafe serves as a delightful stop for both museum-goers and locals alike. Situated at 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC, this charming cafe seamlessly blends extraordinary culinary experiences with the thrill of exploration and discovery.
Coffee, Comfort, and Creativity
At Mars Cafe, coffee lovers can indulge in a variety of expertly crafted beverages. From a rich Double Espresso to the comforting warmth of Lunar Hot Chocolate, there’s something to satiate every palate. The selection also features classics like Latte, Cappuccino, and the Chesapeake "Bird Friendly" Coffee—a choice that highlights the cafe’s commitment to sustainability.
Food Highlights
Mars Cafe doesn’t stop at exceptional coffee; its menu offers delicious options that range from artisanal flatbreads to hearty sandwich melts. The Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Flatbread is a delightful treat, perfect for a quick snack or a light meal. Meanwhile, the Black Forest Ham & Cheese sandwich, served on a pretzel bun, showcases a perfect balance of flavors with a delightful hint of dijon mustard and even an apple slice for a touch of sweetness.
- Delicious Double Espresso
- Lunar Hot Chocolate - a must-try for chocolate lovers
- Creative Sandwich Melts for a satisfying lunch
- Artisan Flatbreads that highlight fresh ingredients
Atmosphere and Service
The ambiance at Mars Cafe has received glowing reviews. Customers like John S. expressed their surprise at the low ratings, describing the atmosphere as "amazing" and the service as "wonderful." Despite some concerns about the pricing, especially for a quick meal in a museum context, many agree it provides decent value for a leisurely lunch break.
Art C. mentioned that dining at Mars Cafe requires a bit of planning, particularly during peak times. However, the experience of enjoying a meal surrounded by the wonders of aviation and space exploration makes it all worthwhile. As you savor your meal, you can appreciate the knowledge that part of your expenses contributes to maintaining the incredible museum.
Final Thoughts
Mars Cafe is not just another café; it’s a culinary experience that complements your visit to one of the nation’s most beloved attractions. Whether you’re stopping by for a jolt of caffeine or indulging in a delicious sandwich, the cafe promises a moment of joy amid your explorations. So, next time you’re in the area, make sure to elevate your experience by visiting Mars Cafe—you won’t regret it!
why all the bad ratings? this place is great!!! we ordered a pizza, which was great! and three sodas, also good. the employees gave us wonderful service, and the ambiance was amazing. the only downside was high price, at $30 for all the food listed, but come on, its inside a free museum! genuinely surprised at the low ratings, this place deservers so much better.
Located in the Air & Space Museum, this counter restaurant was a convenient stop for lunch. I got the Black Friar Ham & Cheese sandwich, which came on a pretzel bun. I could actually notice a pretzel flavor, as well as a bit of dijon mustard and an apple slice. You order at one spot and go to another spot to wait for your food. It was not fast but not too bad. I liked the sandwich. To be sure I had enough food I also got a hot dog. That was very basic and seemed way overpriced at $7. I suppose it was all a bit expensive, four of us ended up spending just over a hundred bucks. Vacation money, I hope some goes towards maintaining this amazing free museum. At the time I wrote this review you needed to reserve a date/time to visit the museum, so getting to this café is not accessible without some planning.