Reviews of The Music Cafe (Coffee Shop)

Barbara Catalano

From the moment I walked in, the feeling of welcome was evident. The service is fantastic. The food and coffee are great. It has been compared to Barking Mad in Gaithersburg, I feel this is an injustice to The Music Cafe as it is steps above the other. Handicapped accessible and parking. Music on Friday and Saturday nights. Kid friendly. Just an awesome experience and worth the time to get there.

Brad Taylor

The Music Cafe is a magical and welcoming place where the delicious comfort food is only surpassed by the warmth of the staff, inviting the new guest to become part of their family. Whether brunch or evening concert, their attention to detail to enhance the experience in a small cafe is unsurpassed!

Steph Nush

Really cute gem nestled in the center of little Damascus. Quite an interesting and delightful array of options all of great quality and (so far!) taste. Can't wait to go back an explore more menu options. So far I've only been to the patio (super dog friendly) but the interior looks eclectic and there's always something good playing on the speakers when I come in to use the always clean restrooms. Service down to earth but professional.

Joanne Lenkersdorf

One of my favorite places to eat in Damascus. Great music all the time, Chris always provides service with a smile and great conversation. My whole family loves coming here. My son’s only criticism was that they didn’t play enough Black Sabbath!

Jeff

Went there to see a band. Very small venue which means there is no bad seat in the house. Good selection of beverages and food, and good service. Great place to see local bands. Need reservations on band nights.

Tanya Varley

I was recently introduces to this hidden gem! I never noticed it, as the location is a bit nondescript, nestled between a veterinarian and a bank, but my fiancee introduced me when he invited me here for the absolute best pumpkin spice latte ever! I love the atmosphere and vibe here, so I came back to have a breakfast sandwich, and of course another latte. Absolutely delicious! The people who work here are so friendly and the service is outstanding. I can't wait to come back to enjoy some of their many events and to hear some live music!

Carmen Ross

Great Atmosphere , good food & a very friendly service .

TheUberDriver69

Live music four or five nights a week open mic night Thursdays 7:30 to 10 and on Saturdays 1 to 5 very much family oriented family run a lot of support from the community great weekly destination with your friend or your family excellent food prices are reasonable I want everybody to know this place is one of a kind and you have to come here more than once to truly have a really good experience like I said it needs to be a weekly destination for your spouse or your friends place to unwind and relax easy to find across the street from McDonald's in Damascus on Route 27

M Sellers

Love this local spot! Good food, nice people, and great support of the community. ❤

Ethel Ashe-Frear

Wonderful food. Nice service.

Dergio Noble

Very relaxing place. The Music Cafe is just a great place to hear live music and have a drink. The bonus is the food, is really well priced and very delicious.

Donna Roberts

Amazing service, delicious food and a comfortable atmosphere. Highly recommend!

Wayne Kuhn

Good food good service great ambiance

Donna Ross

Great service and great food! The cream of crab soup is awesome.

Syndi Matthews

The owners; Randy and Chris are awesome people. All around atmosphere is fun, up beat and exciting. The food is really, really good! Great concept with music, good food, and drinks.

Chris Tolman

My wife and I love the food and unique setting. My daughter saw her first live band here and was absolutely awestruck! Well worth a visit and try the. "Sinatra"!!!!

Jason Goins

Food is amazing & music nights are aot of fun

Lisa Wilson

Had a great meal with 8 friends and family.

RJ

Great food, atmosphere, nice staff, family friendly. Slow service.....all in all nice place.

Marta Esposito

Had a great evening of food and great music from the band Katanga

Dodi Lambert

Great hometown feeling with great music, coffee, food. No need for fries come for the best Guac n' Roll around. Want the best cream of crab soup? This is your place! Sit on the patio that seats 70 with a beach vibe and have a cold beer or a glass of wine. Want a fresh made juice or smoothie, this is your place nothing but fresh ingredients, Ruby Tuesday is one of my favorites! Need vegan options they have you covered from breakfast thru dinner, try the Coconut Curry Red Lentils soup or the sweet biscuit of mine with Huckleberry jam or the avacado toast. Have a gluten alergy? No worries the best Gluten free sandwich and pizza at your service!

Chris Ohlandt

Great casual food whether dining in or take out. The various bands that play at the Music Cafe are always enjoyable. Service is always great and everyone on the staff is friendly and helpful. Sandwiches are great and most have a music-themed name.

Megan Alexander

Have loved this place since the day it opened. Great food and live music. My sister and I are both addicted to the iced coffee.

Cindi Webb

Good food and fun. Owners are friendly.

Bruce Elliott

No doubt this is a perfectly fine cafe, but their real claim to local fame is the music. As soon as you walk in and see the walls plastered floor to ceiling with classic record album jackets, you know what this establishment is all about. Go there on the right night, and you'll be able to see some of the best live music around in an intimate setting that lets you get as close as you want. Just get there early, as it fills up quickly.

David Angelaszek

Bad service. I saw the place online and thought it looked cool. When we went in, the waitress asked if we had a reservation. We were caught off guard because it didn't seem like a place where you would need a reservation and there was nothing on the website about needing one. We were seated at a reserved table with the idea that we would probably be served before the party arrived. The waitress never returned to take our orders or drinks. A couple walked in 10 minutes after us without a reservation. They were given a table that was not reserved that had just opened up and the waitress promptly took their orders. When we saw that we walked out with no intention of ever returning.

Arielle Laranjeira

Super cute place. Stopped by briefly and then came back later in the week. Definitely worth dropping by.

Jennifer Ackler

The food is amazing and staff very friendly

Bonnie O'Connor

The soup and sandwiches are delicious. The coffee and tea specialtys are also excellent. Service is good and the atmosphere is friendly.

Evin

They're known for their live music but I cannot judge since the one time I went they didn't have a band scheduled that night. Really enjoyed their cream of crab soup. Could have done without the ceasar salad though.. the dressing wasn't the best and the chicken didn't have much taste. Their patio allows for dogs!! I will definitely go again and definitely bring my fur baby when I do :)

John M

Chad was very kind and prompt even with it being slightly busy. The lentil soup was delicious. Hot enough to satisfy without burning. The chai was excellent.

Andrew Gee

Good food for fair prices. Atmosphere is really cozy, and the musicians are very talented. Seating can be a little cramped, but overall a great place to go for some music, food, and drinks.

JoAnn Amann

I have always loved this place... great food and atmosphere can't be beat!

Maria Hess

So much fun and so cozy :) live music and good food/coffee! Love it here

ann ali

I simply like their dishes. I always get fantastic service there. The place is clean and the staff members are always very nice. Will come visit again.

Denise Murtha

Stopped in for Breakfast with friends and was pleased with service, food and atmosphere.

Carolina Abisambra

Everything was PERFECT! The food, the music, the people. Wow!! Awesome♡

Mike Salko

Excellent food and service -awesome atmosphere!

William Brouillette

Great music and food. Good vibes

Linda Wood Miller

We always enjoy going to the music cafe. It's a fun place for weekend evenings to hear local bands for entertainment but many of us just enjoy the fabulous food and those yummy desserts. The staff are friendly and patient. Love it

jwnagy

Great food with a very cozy atmosphere.

Natalie D

This place is a rare and important gem to the local music and music-loving community. Support it! You'll love it.

Michael Allen

Always a fun place to eat, and the music, whether from local groups or not, is a lovely touch

Steve K

Awesome coffee and Smith island cake!!

Jane Clarke

Great food and bands!

Ricardo Diaz

Great atmosphere, delicious food - great service!

Steven Pugh

Delicious food.

Oz Fletcher

Great food and service!!

rita kane

Great food ,wonderful Beatles music live band, friendly service, cozy atmosphere.

Bob Hogan

The Music Cafe is a treasure. Great food, awesome entertainment, and wonderful service.

Patrick Cullop

Super friendly staff. Great beer options on tap. The cream of crab was delicious. Relaxing and calm atmosphere.

Reggie Stout

Nice place with good music and great people..

Hobbes Deutsch, Jr.

Their vanilla chai latte is divine, and the food is exceptional.

Kris Roth

Good local place for simple sandwiches and casual live music. Staff is local and have been there for years, they know your name after a few visits. That doesn't happen much "these days". Four stars since the food is pretty basic. Coffee is great though and various deserts are always above expectations.

Dr Dennis

Great food in a family friendly environment. There is seating both indoors and outdoors. Live bands come to play on a small stage, which give a whimsical feel. The highlight for me is the Twinbrook Deli sub, made from the original recipe. If you liked the Twinbrook deli subs, you'll love theirs too.

Duane House

No it's usually hard for me to give a one-star review. But please don't take this as destructive criticism I'm a customer and I do care about your establishment you have a great venue but the food I had today just wasn't that. I ordered French toast. It came with eggs and sausage. Now the sausage was fine but the eggs were obviously from a carton, just like McDonald's and the French toast seemed to either be premade like Costco premade.... I expected fresh made bread especially for a wonderful place that makes their own bread if I'm correct. You can even use stale French bread remember croutons French toast and other amazing bread products were made because the French didn't know what to do with their stale bread so they did things like add eggs to a and at spices to it or what not and that's how we came up with certain things. It'll turn out a lot better making things fresh. More people and more revenue will come, God bless.

Mary Smith

Food great Friendly staff. Very close to home. Always a great time

Scott Grady

Awesome sandwiches, nice atmosphere, good music.

Mary Ann Sopresti

Cherish this restaurant. Bringing in great local music and serving good food -- a blessing. Soup - any of them - anytime.

Bradley Garrett

Cool place! Cozy with lots of music paraphernalia on the walls. Great food & service

Pablito Sagnay

We ordered two appetizers and they both came out wrong. One had to be sent back and remade because we specially requested an item be removed because of food allergy but it was on there anyway. On top of all of that food tasted terrible and my entire family got food poisoning. Another customer had a seizure and vomited all over themself, their table and floor, this was not the restaurant's fault at all, but the vomit was not cleaned up for over a half hour. The place was packed with people but reeking of puke. I, a customer, should not have to tell someone to clear off a table and take away a vomit covered tablecloth and ask for the floor to be cleaned. 60 plus people paid a cover charge for this kind of atmosphere..... We will not be going back

Viacheslav Slavin

Best place ever!! The food is yummy, staff is super friendly, and the ambiance is amazing!! Gems like this are hard to find these days,

Craig Hoover

Delightful experience and very cordial staff. The food is great and the live music is awesome. I look forward to sitting down and enjoying a Flying Dog ale within the next month or so while listening to the Nighthawks!

farris Dwider

A hidden gem in a small town. The music cafe offers wholesome and delicious food alongside very talented local artist. My new favorite spot whenever I am in the area!

Robert Foley

Excellent food. Patio is Dog Friendly

Michael Arguelles

Excellent spot to chill and listen to music. Above average food.

Donna Dudeck

Really liked the cafe I did breaking it was delicious

Paulette Paglia

The coffee and food were very good. The ambiance is fun. The issue we had on a late July Sunday morning was that although there were 5 people behind the counter, there was only 1 server on the floor taking orders and serving food. When we entered the restaurant we were not greeted. Although we stood inside next to the first few tables we were not acknowledged by the lone server, or by the 5 employees behind the counter. After standing for 3 or 4 minutes we walked up to the counter and asked if we are supposed to order at the counter. The staff seemed clueless. Then 1 young woman said we could seat ourselves. So we did. We were sitting for over 5 minutes without menus. The lone server finally greets us and hands us menus. She kept apologizing. When I suggested that 1 employee from behind the counter come out onto the floor to wait tables, or to assist her she became angry assuring me that they're all "very busy working" too. (This statement was completely false. At least 2 of the younger female employees were behind the counter standing in one spot, looking terribly bored, staring into space. This was obvious when we stood at the door, spoke to 2 of the younger counter females and observed throughout nearly the entirety of our 45 minute visit.) If the lone server did not care to have another server on the floor so that she could make more money in tips it's a bad strategy. Because the impression we had during our visit was 1 of confusion, poor organization and lack of teamwork. The older frazzled female server would receive better tips if the restaurant's employee schedule was better organized and each employee's time at work was better managed. Finally after at least 30 minutes 1 of the counter employees came out onto the floor serving food to our table and another. And she cleaned a few tables which had been left dirty since we entered the restaurant. Now for the positives: The food was excellent. Their coffee was very good too. They have live music events which sound great. We will definitely give The Music Cafe another try. There is a charming patio in the back. As we were leaving I walked to the rear of the building to check it out. There were 2 small parties seated outside. I snapped a few photos of the patio and then heard our server apologizing to 1 of the tables for having kept them 'waiting so long'......the chaos continued.

James Stack

Very friendly (and fast!) service, nice atmosphere (assuming you enjoy classic rock) and decent food.

Lee Bland

Great find. Offbeat small cafe with excellent food. Don't miss the bathroom doors!

Richard Stabler

If you like to play,sing music your self or with others this place has the best open mics I have ever been to and I have been to many. They have great food, coffee, beer and wine soups and salads, sandwiches and of course desert. It is exactly what the name implies, awesome people, awesome entertainment, just an awesome destination, try it out I think you might like it m

bill the drummer

I was in for breakfast.. the food and service were both good.

ryan price

Great food and atmosphere

illicitkool Legion of the koolest

Nice very good food. Service is excellent. Open mic.

Scott Garretson

Everything I've tried has been great. Obviously it can be loud.

Liz Gill

Delicious food, lovely atmosphere, great service.

Christopher Smith

A lunch staple when I worked in Damascus. Great food at a good price; pretty extensive menu.

Tyra Owusu

Beautiful place. Love the aesthetic and the food was great!

paul amnott

2nd time eating there. Great sandwiches, good staff and service. Like how the name of songs are used as sandwich selections.

Rob Carson

Our server, Chris, was wonderful. Service with a smile and very pleasant. You could tell that she wanted to make our stay enjoyable. The food was delicious also. We had a small white pizza as an appetizer and the four of us really liked it. This time I had the Club sandwich, only I get it with the 7-grain bread. And got a side salad to get some greens in me. It looked more the size of a regular salad. The 7-grain bread was nice large slices to hold the plethora amount of food inside. I was too full to have desert again. Maybe next time.

Jo

Love this place too much for words! Love the atmosphere, the patio, the staff, the vegetarian-friendly food, the fact that they welcome dogs to their outdoor seating..I could go on forever! One of my favorite restaurants!

Shaun & Erin Combs

Love this place! It can get pretty busy at times, but the staff does a good job keeping up with demand. Good sandwich selection and beers on tap keep us coming back.

Jeff Williams

Enjoyed great food and great service for lunch yesterday! Will be back often! Thank you Chris for fast and friendly service!

Shawn Howell

Great employees, nice alternative to a normal meal outside the house, even if there isn't live music at the time. Very solid sandwiches, good options, things you don't see all the time. Can be very tight when the live music is playing.

Elaine Ross

First time at The Music Cafe and absolutely loved it!!!!! Best food and wonderful service!! Looking forward to another visit soon!!

Casimir Campagna

Came out to see the Mike Kamuf Little Big Band and was totally blown away! The atmosphere was amazing (so was the band), and the food was superb! Can't wait to come back again.

Mark Frumkin

Good music, hard to get a place to sit.

Howard Passman

Service was really good. Menu is limited for breakfast.

Audrianne Eddy

Very good food and service.

Devin Slaven

Always the best food and best coffee! Best local business! Fantastic customer service is also refreshing!

George S.

They botched it all with our order, and I cannot help but think that the 5 star reviews on here are written by his local friends. We received horrible service. We were visiting from out of town, and aside from the staff messing up both appetizers and meals, the locals and staff were not welcoming at all. I would never recommend this place to anyone.

Nicholas P

Food is great and staff is cheerful. Can be a bit expensive

John Lodsin

Sort of small but the music was great. Waitresses are very attractive.

Eric Caudle

being there for their open mics it's always overwhelmed with the same circle of people hogging the seam

E M

I've been to The Music Cafe several times and think it's a really great part of the Damascus community. Good music and nice selection of drinks.

Karen Helsel

The Music Cafe continues to impress. The menu is creative with breakfast, salads, and sandwiches for every taste. The ingredients are fresh, and the ambience is casual and friendly. This is a hidden gem, and I keep coming back when I'm in the area at lunchtime.

Jasmine Castro

Menu is mostly sandwich items. The menu items are named after famous bands/songs which is super cool. My favorite is the Motley Chicken and Stairway to Freebird. A bit pricey for sandwiches and sit-yourself type restaurant which is my only negative complaint. But on the flip side, they have some good music nights and also host paint nites.

Doris Elias

My new place for breakfast! Small, quiet and good service. I am looking forward to seeing the update on their menu!

Michelle Labovitz

Food was excellent People were very nice

Bret Patton

Great coffee and food, but more importantly, this is where some of the best musicians in the area play. Check it out!!

JOHN Bromhal

The coffee here is really excellent.

Mohamed Ibrahim

Very nice atmosphere. Loud if there's music. Kids might not always like it.

Gary Earp

Great food, friendly service, and great entertainment

georeese

Great food, drinks and live entertainment! Wide variety of great tasting sandwiches at reasonable prices, and very friendly staff. Family friendly restaurant.

Luis Fernandez

Great food, cool music.

Mike Walter

The Music Cafe is solid overall. Good food and the espresso based drinks are also good. Two complaints: The quality of the drip coffee here could be better. Maybe switch to a new coffee vendor/roaster. They also really need to get actual silverware instead of serving food with plastic. It's just kinda tacky to use a plastic fork to eat in a restaurant.

Pat Hancock

Great people, great music and food, what a blessing for the community. I always enjoy my time there.

Ron David

Nice place but a little pricey.

Tracy Burgee

Great music and great food

Jeff Nagy

Love this place!

Nathan DeBord

Delicious food. Great back patio

Marie Myers

Wonderful place, good people, great service and excellent food!

Heather Pelkey

Great guac!

Kathleen Grudzien

A great little place that offers live music, good food and great atmosphere.

Heather Wolf

Cute area next to the vet. They made me an awesome iced mocha to write home about.

John Infante

Nice little restaurant. Music on the weekend. Great sandwiches

Janet Geary

I think I have just visited this place for the last time. I used to go at least twice a month but now they have stopped serving fountain sodas and giving free refills. I can think of no other restaurant that won't give you a free soda refill. Instead I was overcharged for a soda in a bottle and informed that to get a refill, I had to buy another bottle. Too bad, I really liked their food.

Jae Robinson

What a great place! Super popular on Sundays. Note, if you are not familiar with the area The Music Cafe is ticked away in between a bank and Animal Clinic.

Mammal Cinemas

Very fun people and always brings the good food. They have an open mic on Thursdays that my friend performs at. The people are very friendly and some might get up and dance if the music allows it!

Rick Candell

I love the atmosphere but sometimes the music is too loud. Be careful not to sit under the speakers. Food is great!!

Patsy Brizard

Great food and dessert music is very nice. Can be a bit slow but its worth it

Christine Bevillard

Excellent food, love the vegan options. The people who work there are so kind and welcoming

Michael Harvey

Great service... always. And the food is also great. I have tried almost all of the sandwiches offered and have never been disappointed!

John Landis

Great

Margaret Ross

Lovely place. Good food and service. And enjoyed the music of The Digits on 9/8/18.

Corinne Shannon

The owner is super nice and friendly. We stopped in on our way to sign papers for a new house nearby and thoroughly enjoyed the warm welcome!

Christopher Schneider

Nice people. Food is an A- ... Service can be slow when they get busy. I go there regularly.

Karen Sipkov

Owners are wonderful...food n drinks are awesome and when Take 5 is there it's the BEST band!! Great place to meet up with friends!!☺

Rick Ranalli

Great atmosphere! Quality employees and the Ruben is very good.

Pamela Harp

I went for breakfast with a friend and it was a great little place. I'd love to go back for a musical performance sometime!

Kathleen Dehn

I love the Music Cafe. Great food. Fantastic music.

James Shockey

Loved the service and food great job keep up the WORK

Margs B

Excellent coffee and Belgian waffles. Good price. Great service and atmosphere.

Carol Jarvinen

Friendly atmosphere, good food, fun music.

Arun Immaneni

Lovely breakfast options are available. The coffee is awesome too. Nice place to listen to some live music and enjoy good food. The guacamole served in a stone bowl is not to be missed. Homely and lively cafe but can be pricey though. Good vegetarian options. We ordered the sandwiches and the kids menu. Everything was fresh and tasty. The sandwiches are nice.

Jim McClelland

Best cream of crab soup I've ever had!

Gene James

Very nice. Clean, friendly, good food and beer

Shadonna Harvin

Great Motley Chicken $11.50.....nice wine...riesling Saint M....

Shawna Taylor

Delicious food and great selection of wine & beer. Wonderful owners who work very hard & are so supportive of local live music.

G Stryker

Great place for eats, drinks, and tunes. Indoor and outdoor seating. Very cool place.

Joe Ostrander

Great atmosphere and people. I tried the homemade soups. Chili was great, subtle heat. Cream.of crab was excellent. Sherry was high, but amazing flavor and crab.

Glenda Cottrell

The food is great and so is the atmosphere!

Erin Candell

Nice place, good ambiance, lacks good seating. Staff is kind and personable and will happily accommodate you in your needs. AMAZING desserts, great chili and has a well proceed menu. Decor is a little too music themed, but that's okay. Has "regulars," a jovial set of people who hang around and sip coffee and listen to the excellent music. Also has open mic nights (with no judging) if you want to flex your vocal muscles!

camila souza

Good food and welcoming peoples! Great music$

Patrick Clouser

This place is a hidden gem. Can't get enough. Great breakfast and great sandwiches.

Kelcey C

Came in for a quick bite as I was driving back home. Had a bacon, egg and cheese on a plain bagel with some iced coffee. Sandwich was good and hit the spot. The server was friendly and attentive. I came in rather early and was one of two people there. It looks like more of a lunch / dinner place. I'll say I enjoyed the decor and the music they had playing. The bathroom was very cute. I would love to stop by again and see how dinner is.

Tim Switzer

Another great evening at Music Cafe. Great food, and pleasant server!

valayne may

Great food. Great service. Great music by local artists. Great patio.