Marianne’s by DC Central Kitchen

This coffee house has a multi-purpose mission. It's not just about making money.For downtown DC, the prices are tremendous. It's also a smart training ground for DC Central Kitchen's culinary jobs program.As a customer, I've purchased quality, hot coffee and fresh baked goods from here since 2022.That Marianne's is operating inside the MLK Library, THE flagship library of the DC library system -- with those gorgeous, floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows -- well, it's just pretty fab. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, last director of the Bauhaus movement (20th century), designed this building. A graceful, historic example of modernist architecture, it's lovely throughout.This spot brings a smile to my face. I think it's rocks (quietly, of course!). You go, DC Library, you go. Wonderful addition.Marianne's: Live long and prosper.

This place is amazing! I would have not have thought about eating at a library. The staff was super friendly and had a very warm feeling about them. They have sandwich and salad options. As a minimum get your coffee, latte, specialty drink here. It's so much cheaper than the places nearby especially for being in DC's downtown. Plus there are tons of places for a group to meet up. You can even grab a book to relax. Again, this is a surprisingly nice downtown spot in DC. It's one of the better libraries I've seen.

I'm sorry, but Marianne's is not it.By DC Central Kitchen, the organization provides on-the-job training and a hospitality apprenticeship to youth and adults that are facing obstacles to employment and housing - such a great mission!This eatery is located on the 1st floor of the MLK Jr. Memorial Library, and they offer a menu that offers various beverages, pastries, breakfast, snacks and sides, salads, and sandwiches, along with featured specials (when I went, they had Chicken Taco Salad and a Fresh Summer Salad).I had a pre-order of:+the Jerk Chicken Sandwich - a brioche bun filled with jerk chicken, with side cups of Caribbean slaw and jerk sauce; the bun seemed more of like a wheat bun, as it was definitely not fluffy, light, or buttery, but more on the dry side; the chicken 'strips' that the bun contained had no flavor nor sauce; the jerk sauce that was on the side didn't help, and it was of a thin consistency; the Caribbean slaw was red cabbage-focused, but hardly any flavors nor seasonings; it also didn't seem to be pickled long enough+chips and a canned sodaThe sandwich itself was just below average; the chicken itself was just super dried out, almost to the point of jerky consistency.The staff just chooses the flavor of the chips for you, but you can kindly request them to swap out for the one you actually wanted.Canned soda is not that cold, so ask for a cup of ice.Staff were fine, but they seemed extremely overwhelmed; there was a lack of communication, and orders were being mixed up, gone missing, offered to other patrons, etc.There's some tables and counter seating available, but during the lunch rush, it does become filled quickly.I'm glad I gave Marianne's a try, but definitely would not return.+dried-out sandwiches+unorganized staff+seating available+located on the 1st floor of the MLK Jr. Memorial Library+metered street and garage parking available

I'm going to give Marianne's a holler because they were a perfect way for me to start my trip in DC. Not too far from where I'm staying, they offer shockingly affordable prices for coffee and breakfast items. I had an 8oz black coffee and a egg and cheese croissant and spent a total of $4. WHAT! Unheard of! But all solid, basic, necessary.Located inside the MLK public library, make sure to support Marianne's. I'm a fan!!! I support you all. Thank you for greeting me (a visitor) with a smile and steaming hot food and coffee.

Coffee was very inexpensive, but not the best. Only $1 for an 8 oz cup of drip coffee.

The name Marianne is in honor of the woman who trained many hospitality workers under an apprenticeship program! I love the name :).The cafe is in the right atrium as you walk into the MLK Library, and is a small, inexpensive cafe (coffee is $1), with foods provided by the DC Central Kitchen. This cafe employs people under an apprenticeship program in hospitality. I ordered a cesar salad with grilled chicken. It was a fairly simple salad, but solid for only $8.A quaint place with a powerful mission of empowering our youth communities. I will continue to support this cafe :)

Stopped by here mid morning. Ordered an egg cheese sausage croissant and a small coffee. It was delicious and the staff was very friendly and it would've cost me double at the Star****sIt's inside the MLKing library so it was nice and quiet as a bonus.

Walk into the newly-renovated MLK Memorial Library in Penn Quarter and follow signs on the first floor to the cafe. There you'll find a small cafe that sells all sorts of food from pastries to sandwiches. My five-year-old daughter and I went on a Friday morning. Here's our experience:1) Story: Part of D.C. Central Kitchen, Marianne's provides on-the-job training to youth and adults facing barriers to employment. Using locally-sourced ingredients, they make and sell light food and drinks. 2) Food: If you go for breakfast, you'll find an array of pastries behind a glass box from doughnuts to muffins. In the cooler, you'll find prepared salads, sandwiches, etc. My daughter and I stopped in for snacks. I got the blondie bar and my daughter got the jelly doughnut and BBQ chips. We enjoyed it all!3) Drinks: They sell coffee drinks (including decaf coffee), tea, water, juice, etc.4) Service: It's very kind! The woman who helped us took the time to ask my daughter's name and how she was doing. She also saw we were carrying lots of papers and gave us a bag to organize them in. So kind! 5) Space: The library itself is stunning! Take the time to explore each floor going up the winding staircase. Definitely check out the rooftop! There's seating near the cafe and outside on the terrace.

Shockingly cheap, solid coffee for the DC area. It's nothing fancy- they do offer a few espresso drinks, your standard black coffee, and etc. I was surprised by the mixture of quality snacks- a protein pack, pastries, and hummus are what I saw with a quick glance. There is a place to add your own creamer (skim milk, half and half, and heavy cream from what I could see) and sugar. I think I paid $3 for a medium coffee, and I was happy with how it tasted. I also got the fudgiest, richest brownie as I was checking out. It tasted homemade! For such a good price and convenient location within the MLK library, I'm sure I will return.

As a remote employee, I enjoy working from different places in the city. While working from MLK Library, I decided to grab lunch. I was totally surprised by how good the food was, especially considering the reasonable prices. Plus it's hard to beat the ambiance of the region's largest public library. This place is a real hidden gem. Highly recommended, even if you're not planning to check out the library.