A coffee lover’s secret society. There’s a touch of magic when you drive behind the shopping center and find a white brick coffee shop with parking. Great ambiance, and plenty of outlets to work or study. Savory pastries as well as sweet ones! I walked away with a tuna and curry puff to go.

I wish this place existed while I was in grad school - I can see myself spending weekends studying here. This a newish coffeeshop located at Fair City Mall. Youll have to drive past Kokee and down the back of the plaza to access it. Theres limited parking outside.They have a small but strong menu of coffee items and bakery items on display at the counter. The counter is located in the middle of the shop and you can watch them make your coffee. When its done, they bring them out to you (how do they remember who ordered what??).The decor is very simple and clean and theres plenty of seating, including some that overlook the entire store. They roast their beans in house and you can watch their process in the back.My vanilla latte was well made, not too sweet, and I was pleased to find latte art when I popped the top of my to-go cup. I sat there for some time just relaxing and people watching. Its a great set up, calm and not too loud, and great to study or for a coffee date.

This place is truly a hidden gem! The coffee in here is absolutely amazing and so are the freshly baked pastries. Great place to study and the staff are so nice too, love the vibes! Highly recommend it.

So far, one of the best coffee shops I’ve ever visited. The atmosphere here is so calming and nice. It is a perfect spot for getting the work done. The coffee here are very delicious with a wide variety of options ranging from simple pour-overs to authentic lattes. The pastries here super delicious as well with different types of tarts and cheesecake. My favorite one is egg tart. Let alone the very great and respectful staff members. This is definitely the spot for a nice cup of coffee. I definitely recommend going there and bare in mind that the spot is behind the shopping center as the map takes you to the center.

Little hard to find before figuring out it is behind Fair City Mall. The atmosphere is amazing. Its so relaxing to sit down and drink coffee and have some pastries. The lighting is also spot on, not too bright and not to dull. Everyone needs to try this place.

The coffee was good as well as the cake. The service was awesome!! Very friendly staff and really like the seating area! The chocolate cake, I really liked it!

I meant to pick up a cuppa latte at Foundation Coffee Roasters after getting something fixed at Charlys Watch & Clock shop but the pastry and cake displays were too alluring! This is me resisting temptation the best way I know how to - by giving in to it! The medium roast used in my Latte was a perfect pick-me-up during a busy week with minimal sleep. The Chocolate Croissant was perfectly flaky and even though I dont generally like having powdered sugar on my pastries, Ill give this a free pass. The Egg Tart was just alright.PS: The staff was very friendly and attentive!

This place has a very relaxing vibe to it. Every blend and roast of coffee is made with perfection from their in-house roasted beans. Although a little difficult to find, It’s a great coffee shop on its way to become a landmark!Every item on their menu is delicious! They have dessert chefs, coffee roaster experts, and connoisseur coffee makers.The owner has built this place out of his love for coffee and it shows.Definitely see myself coming back here every day!

It’s a brand new place. Modern and tidy. Better than Sta***** in my opinion :) a cup of coffee and egg pastry goes fantastic combination for breakfast.

Foundation Coffee is one of my favorite study spaces in the NOVA/Fairfax area! I love sleek, and modern coffee shops with (of course) great drinks (my favorite being the matcha latte). Although the location is kind of eerie, it does add to the experience of finding the coffee shop and the aesthetic of it all.

Awesome place… awesome space! They make excellent coffee and also make their own delicious pastries. A step above most coffee shops! A little difficult to find the first time as your GPS will take you to the front of the mall and they are tucked away on the back side. Great vibe @ this must visit place!

This was an amazing find. Coffee is just delicious. I would not recommend putting anything in your coffee. The bakery stuff is delicious as well.

Nice big place. Great working spaces. They even have a conference room. Simple but good coffee and tea menu. Very good selection of scones and biscuits etc. There is a 4,000 person high school across the street so they really should open at like 730, not late at 9. Same for Saturday, open at 8 not 9.

My my my where do I begin,Personally I love coffee and desserts, I would willing to drive if the place is good.From the owner’s hospitality to the atmosphere everything was just perfect!It could be bit tricky to find the place, it’s back of the shopping center.9650 Main St #46, Fairfax, VA 22031

Spacious with lots of seating. We sat in a mall conference room that you can reserve. The beverage menu is great, and the coffee was excellent. The scones and croissants were stale, though.

Great pastry! Coffee was pretty good, but they may have misheard me when I asked for a vanilla latte and gave me either a latte with no vanilla or very little vanilla. Disappointed in lack of seating tho :( every table was filled with students Im assuming, most didnt even appear to be drinking anything or eating. Pretty good vibe tho! Ill have to find a time when its not packed with students tho

Perfect place to study. Jazz music in the background and coffee. I love coming here regularly to get my work done. It’s definitely a hidden gem! Only wish that they had more outlets near the tables, but it’s not that hard to find one near the steps.

Super cool find! Delicious pastries and drinks. Lovely cafe, definitely recommend!

Love this place, the staff and the coffee. Weve enjoyed most of the pastries weve tried but really appreciate the selection. The coffee though is the real draw. We buy our beans here often and have even ducked out in the middle of a work day to re-stock rather than go without the next morning. Ive only ever had positive experience with the team working there and anyone weve ever brought from out of town has also love it.

I was ecstatic to visit a coffee shop that is close to my residential area. But unfortunately Foundation Coffee Roasters let me down.1. The seating is absolutely atrocious. There are not a lot of table and chairs at this establishment, and it hinders people from being productive.2. I was asked to leave the shop because I did not make a purchase... I understand they need business, but I simply came here to be a productive student. It was very infuriating because I had to pack my bags in the middle of working on an assignment. I think this defeats the purpose of a cafe shop.This place will no longer have my business.

So excited to see an independently run, local coffee shop in the neighborhood! Parking is easy and spots are readily available - a perk of them being on the service road! The service and feel of the place is stellar. Only downside is they don’t currently have oat milk available, hopefully that changes soon!

Poor costumer service and bad quality pastry. You need to keep in mind when you come here do not tip them. Mainly because there is no waiter. They just bring your order with minimum needs. We spent 22$ plus 4$ for tips for two teas and two pastries, they brought us our service (have full teas) with no napkins, forks or knives. They never came to ask about anything else. The pastry smells old and sour. Not really recommended since there is more coffee shops with better services nearby. I mean maybe the environment is nice, but the service is disappointing. 2/5

The place is quite and organize and the coffee is really good. I enjoy going there.

So good coffee and atmosphere. The staff is really friendly. The place is good to have your work done and hang out with friends.

Good service and delicious coffee ☕️ and the staff was very friendly

My new favorite coffee haunt! The staff and fellow patrons are always cheerful, coffee is always good, and there’s always plenty of space in the morning. (If you’re like me and only occasionally drink coffee, their chai latte is incredible.)A few folks have mentioned this, but I’ll echo that it is tricky to find and the GPS probably won’t get you there. Just drive behind all the shops (DSW, Five Below, Pot Bellies) and even though it looks like you’re lost, keep going till you find a hip little beanery. Enjoy!

Tucked away behind the mall this coffee shop has so much to offer. No wonder it has such a great rating! Definitely will be back

Good pastry and coffee. Nice clean atmosphere. But most importantly, great friendly service by staff. Will be going there more often and regularly. Keep up the great job everyone!

Love what these guys are doing with coffee. Amazing ambiance, fantastic coffee and great management. My go-to spot for a no BS dark roast!

The coffee and cappuccino were good. Pecan pie and almond croissant not tasty

This place is a gem. The green tea latte here is to die for! And the Americano here is one of the best I’ve ever had.

The setup that they have inside is amazing, no matter where youre sitting you get a good view of the coffee bar.Their coffee and pastries are all good. I stick to the cold brew and always ask for their recommendation/favorite pastry for me to try.This is also a good place to study. Theres a small back room that you can grab and study with friends there.

Best coffee spot in NoVA in my opinion. Who else does a pour over??

Industrial and a modern feel, plenty of seating and parking but gets crowded during peak hours. Excellent coffee (especially pour over that comes with a cup of ice) and other drink options. Pastries are available for a quick snack, but theyre not my favorite.It can be a little tricky to find, you need to loop around the back of the shopping center where youll find parking and the coffee shop.

Purchased Foundation Blend roasted coffee beans. We like the date stamped on the bag to let us know when the beans were roasted. Very fresh beans and excellent roast! Also, ordered an Americano that was served at the right temperature - hot! The interior was modern, spacious, and uncluttered. All pastries were baked in-house.

Had a great first visit here! The service was great, coffee and pastries even better! We got the ham and cheese puff, pepperoni puff and the tiramisu to crave the sweet tooth. I loved everything.

Second time in this week on an out of town visit and the consistency is fantastic. I was last here for the opening day and its only gotten better from the bakery selection to a solid pour over.

This is going to be my new “morning coffee” stop. The owner (Hae Woon) is very humble and explained the process of coffee making. The staff is very courteous. This is a hole in the wall and totally worth all my money and time. You can work here, while listening to amazing soft jazz music. The cafe is behind the shopping center but aside from that, I love this place!

Love the stadium seating option, extremely clean, great coffee and croissant

A little hard to find but this hidden gem is worth it! Amazing atmosphere and quick service. My cappuccino was a little over extracted but was still better than most of the ones I’ve had in the area. I’ll definitely be back!

The pastries here are really delicious and recommend them. There’s lots of space so most people are spread apart. The interior design is nice and the environment feels cozy. I would love come back here when I’m out shopping.

One of the best coffee shops in NoVA! More room to sit than you need, more outlets than you can shake a stick at, good coffee. More of the college student hangout but this place is what a coffee shop should be.

Great coffee and fantastic variety of pastries, cakes and snacks

Weird location, its at the back of the building (no other shops nearby). Definitely worth trying to find it. Very unique and modern coffee shop with nice baristas. Great chai, coffee, and pastries!

I love this place! A really good place to study for many hours. But there is not a lot of plugs available tho (hope they add more so I dont have to move looking for plugs😅)

This coffee place is a hidden gem! Stellar service-- the employees went out of their way to accommodate us. The coffee is AMAZING as well and tastes very fresh. The atmosphere is great for studying or reading. Will definitely come again!

Nice coffee shop with great ambiance. Loved their iced green tea latte and freshly baked cookies and cheesecake!

Great coffee, delicious pastries, and amazing service. I highly recommend this place!

A cool spot with lots of parking and quiet ambience set you up for a quick pick up or a meet up with your friend that does not require yelling out to be heard. I will definitely be back. I was not impressed with the coffee or my almond croissant, but I admit I am really picky. I think my expectation was up since they are supposed to be a roaster. Fair cup of Americano is what I got and I did finish it.

Been to this place about 3 times. It seems as if the baristas are fumbling over each other in order to make a single cup of joe. I usually order a cortado it tastes fine but I was not impressed.The space itself is not particularly warm and welcoming. Looks as if there are alot of younger people peering above their laptops that may be regulars.They sell a a garlic cream cheese pull apart bread thats a little sweet and savory shaped like a roll. Its worh a try- other bakery items that remind me of Breeze, Shilla and other Korean cafes in Annandale.The drip coffee I got last time was not fresh and overpriced. Customer service is so-so. Im finding out that more and more places are credit card only- no cash accepted. My search continues for a coffee shop that covers all the bases. This one missed the mark.

The store front is actually in the back. Easy to miss. One of the local hidden gems for a place to study with great coffee.

The latte was ok, nothing extraordinary about it. The pastries were good, but again not special. To be fair, I got everything to-go so it might not be the best judgement. I will update the review when I do a dine-in hopefully in the near future.

Great customer service. The cappuccino was really well made. Pastries were fresh and delicious.

Great cafe! This was an amazing experience their pastry was good too!

So I originally wanted to try a new coffee shop on an off day in the DMV, because thats what I do. I happened to find this place and it seems to be new, especially that in the Fairfax area. So thats exactly what I do today and head there. In getting there, its actually in the back and not necessarily part of the city mall. Nevertheless when coming in, its very spacious and aesthetically pleasing. There are folks doing their work and/or socializing as I go to order. I go for a pour-over and one of their pastries, and the barista gets to work on it and I settle at the huge bar/table area, getting ready to do some planned work. When he served me my coffee and pastry, I mentioned that it looked really nice. However, for his response, he said Just enjoy your stay, but in the kind of demeaning tone. From that, as well as his body language, I felt really out of place and the first time, unwelcomed to a coffee shop, as Ive been to tons of coffee shops in the DMV and around the US, not having such experiences. Now while not being able to concentrate on my work, much more people start to crowd around my area; even one group made a single patron shift one seat towards me, now being only one chair away from the left. The same eventually happened on the right side too. If we were not in a pandemic, this would be okay. However, when we are and theres no social distancing or limiting of chairs per table/area, now that made me even more uncomfortable as the baristas didnt even try to address these. For reference if you think I wasnt here, heres the two photos I took during my visit. I really liked the food and the aesthetics here, honestly. When theres no regards to limiting some capacity or social distancing, thats giving me a reason not to come here again. More so, having this be the first time I felt genuinely unwelcomed to a coffee shop, this kept me from keeping the rating at 2 stars and at 1 star instead, as well as not coming back for any future visits.EDIT: If you do not see the other photo with the pour-over and pastry I got, it is because google is deciding not to post it along with my review as I have tried to add it with the other photo 3 times now.

It is a place where dessert and coffee are delicious.

Cool atmosphere with delicious pastries and really good coffee. Enough said.

This is one of the true coffee shops in DMV area. Please dont expect to come to this coffee shop with experiences from Starbucks or Peets, then you will be disappointed. If you are more familiar with venti (extra large) sized latte or expecting twenty different coffee drinks, and typical Americanized coffee drinks, this is not the place for you. Foundation Coffee is a collection of well trained baristas, roasters, and house patisserie. I recommend cortado or espresso here.Only downside is that there are too many college kids who never make any purchases and do their school works. Coffee shop is not your library. Go to public libraries and study there please!!!

Love this place! Happy to find this place in my town.Friendly staffs, nice and fancy interior, fresh and great taste coffee, yummy cookies.. Must visit cafe for coffee lovers!

Good looking, fairly quiet space behind the mall with ample seating making it condusive for work, study, or meeting someone else. The problem was with their pour over pricing. Its listed on the board as $4.75. I asked what were my choices and the employee pointed to the back wall of coffees to make a selection. I choose the Kenya and then he rang me up for a $6 + tax coffee. I did not appreciate the misleading pricing but life is too short to argue over $1.25. Probably wont go back.

As always, Foundation Coffee in Fairfax has out done themselves. My family and I enjoyed an afternoon of amazing service topped with delicious coffee and the most succulent of desserts. Spoiling ourselves after a long hibernation, kicking off the Summer of 2021 with an amazing atmosphere of smooth jazz music, pleasant conversation with staff and the most clean of environments has made for an easy 5 star experience.

-Delicious coffee and sweet.-The caramel latte is outstanding- The almond Croissant is a MUST have-Great place for students, I was the only one in the coffee who is not studying ;)

I drop in about once a week or so to buy beans. Great place, it’s a little difficult to find at first. You gotta go to the far left of the mall area, and it’s on the same side as the warehouse doors.

This coffee place is new but is legit! Great place to get some work done or just hang out with friends. Highly recommend!

Great place to get work done. Friendly staff and clean environment. They change out the beans every now and then. Have a good selection of pastries too!

Fantastic taste!I tried an iced vanilla latte, it is so fresh and soft.I love the interior design too!Try their coffee now!

Great atmosphere. The pastries are solid. Espresso was a touch bitter for my liking, but my drink was well made and the service was very good.

High quality espresso drinks and delicious sweet and savory pastry selection. Casual atmosphere with plenty of space to spread out. Will definitely return!

As many others have noted, Foundation Coffee is BEHIND the mall. Youll think your GPS is confused but follow along. The coffee is good, and the shop is beautifully designed, comfortable, and very popular.

Loved this place! Friendly service, great coffee and cookies.Cant wait to go again!

Foundation is a must try! The pour over is incredible. Open, light-filled space with hospitable, accommodating staff. Plenty of seating and coffee options for everyone!

This is like a secret coffee shop. Excellent coffee and pastries, nice vibe.

Great atmosphere! Their green tea latte is pretty good - not bitter like matcha latte can be. One downside is that their only alternative is almond milk but still good coffee and they roast their own beans

Beautiful atmosphere and delicious coffee and great service. What more can someone ask for?

Unique cafe 😻

Great little hipster coffee spot complete with a behind the scenes entrance on the backside of fair city mall. The interior seating setup is reminiscent of an Intelligentsia in LA, and includes a small little conference room conducive to study groups/meetings. Thoughtful design.Surprisingly, the shop was very busy. Clearly has served the community well and word of mouth has played a big role - there was a short line to order the entire time we were there! The location clearly is no hindrance to Foundation. The service is efficient, professional, and coffees good.The -1 star rating is that there wasnt really any social distancing. Consider removing some chairs at the various counters and bars so that people arent inclined to sit. Some guy sat down right next to me and it was incredibly close/uncomfortable.Post-covid, this is going to be a go-to hangout spot for sure!

Excellent place to study. The coffee and baked goods are amazing.

Great coffee. Lots of interesting pastries and limited breakfast items. Hard to find, but a hidden gem.

Excellent place to chill out. Friendly atmosphere and staff.

Had the blueberry swiss roll it was amazing. Coffee and tea were also great

This is a great spot, its at the back of the mall but your GPS should take you there. The environment is great and offers socially distanced places to work! I like the lattes I just wish they offered oat milk, they only had almond milk

Great coffee, great atmosphere. I come just about every weekend and I love it.

If you are a coffee geek like me(meaning, I’ve been to just about every good coffee roaster in CA, OR and WA) you need to check this place out! They capture everything that I believe encompasses coffee culture! Including in house baked pastries which I believe is a must as long as you do it well and they do!Roasting in-house with two Stronghold S-7 roasters( at least that is what I could visually see), I felt they captured the vibe of Intelligentsia on Abbott Kenny in Venice, CA with their bleacher seats on one side of a square service are in a modern coffee house setting! I found this place by accident when I saw a photo of an S-7 Roaster that I’ve been looking at purchasing for myself while visiting my grandson in Virginia!If you are in the Fairfax, VA area, do yourself a favor and stop by. If you are a coffee geek, you will feel at home here! Big kudos to Foundation Coffee!!

Incredible coffee shop! Customer service, coffee, pastries, etc.. Everything is top notch!! Their Ethiopia pour over is the best coffee I have ever had! I’ve visited plenty specialty coffee shops but you can tell that they just genuinely care about what they do here! I love it here and although it’s far for me I will always make the trip of my off days. Excellent place, a must visit.

Update: this place has been a godsend during lockdown. I go a few times per week to do work and have some delicious coffee or tea.Great quality coffee and tea in a nice work environment. Lots of seating.

Foundation Coffee is perfect. Their freshly roasted coffee is some of the smoothest and tastiest Ive ever had. Their hospitality, expertise and recommendations are spot on. The space is beautifully designed and suited for every kind of guest. They nailed every part of the experience right down to the music playing comfortably in the background, which completes the vibe without getting in the way of your conversation. Youll just straight up feel better after spending time here. And Ill be spending time and time again. This is, hands down, my new favorite spot.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! You must visit this place! The aesthetics are very nice as well as the atmosphere. Their scones are awesome and my favorite tea of theirs is the green tea. Its so calming and relaxing. They have very nice coffee and its tasty even without sugar and milk. This place is a hidden gem. Dont hesitate, visit!

My wife and I stopped at Foundation Coffee and were so pleased with what we found. First of all the coffee is delicious! Second, the interior is bright and welcoming, the perfect place to sit for awhile when you want to get out of the house. Finally, the owners came and talked with us and were more than gracious. I highly recommend coming here today!One note, the entrance is on the opposite side of the building from every other store in the mall. So drive around to the back and you will find it.

Amazing place with delicious roasted on-the-spot coffees and pastries that melt in your mouth as well as having a simply yet an amazing vibe inside! Certain a hidden gem in Fairfax!

High-quality coffee prepared with experience and served in a chill environment. A must-visit if youre in the area and into coffee.

Best taste and service

Great service and tasty coffee .I like that they open for late time,unlike other coffee shops in the area 👍🤍

Good place to drink coffee

Good coffee shop to work and study, but limited numbers of tables to seat.

This place is an excellent addition to the Fairfax City area! The in-house roasted coffee beans are incredible for making great coffee at home and the batista really takes pride in his craft by making some of the most delicious vanilla lattes around (not overly sweet...a perfect hint of vanilla). If you are in the area, this is the place to go. Word of warning, the location is a little strange to get to if youve never been there (you have to drive around the back of the strip mall) and the hours could be expanded (but Im also not trying to staff a new coffee joint in the middle of a pandemic).

Such a wonderful local coffee shop. Great tasting latte. Lots of open space for seating.When we visited this place at 3pm on a holiday Monday, this place was filled with customers. Hidden away in the loading dock section of this strip mall, it is a best kept Fairfax secret - a jewel of a coffee shop yet hidden for a select group to enjoy. As you drive in the loading dock section, just look for the parked cars.Enjoy but shhhh! It is a secret 😁.

Great coffee, open environment, great seating, and free wifi. Solid coffee shop that Im excited to visit again.Its not located inside the shopping center/mall, so be sure to drive around back. There is no access from the other side.

This hidden gem, located behind the Fair City Mall, has plenty of parking and is as gorgeous inside as it is spacious. Stepping inside felt like being transported to an upscale roaster next to Powell’s Books in Portland or a French patisserie with plenty of space for social distancing, while working away on your laptop. (Plenty of outlets!) The coffee is freshly roasted, and they also sell whole beans for brewing at home. (For the tea enthusiast, they have a variety of brews to sample, too.) As for the pastry, the canelé filled with cream are expertly made and out of this world: a crust of caramel enveloping a tender center. And the meringue for the dacquiose was so delicate, you can tell they were just made. So skip Panera or Starbucks tomorrow and take a trip to Paris by way of Foundation Coffee Roasters instead. This small business is bringing something unique and special to our community. It deserves our support!

Great coffee place! Glad Google showed me it. I would had never found it.

Nice place with lots of room to work or read. Hard to find because its in the back of the shopping center but well worth hunting it down.