2301 M Street, NW (previously home to a SoulCycle) photo by Scott Suchman
From a press release:
“Life Alive Organic Cafe, Boston area’s wildly popular mission-driven brand known for its “Eat Positive. Live Positive.” philosophy, is excited to announce the grand opening of its first cafe in Washington, D.C. Located in the city’s lively West End neighborhood at 2301 M St NW, the cafe will open its doors at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28 as the first location outside of Massachusetts––marking a significant milestone in the brand’s rapid growth.
photo by by Scott Suchman
Life Alive’s cult-like following was built on the idea that what’s on our plate is central to living the life we crave. That’s why the brand is committed to sustainably sourced organic ingredients, bold flavors, and a chef-inspired menu that deeply resonates with today’s movement toward health-conscious eating.
“The more we learn about people, food and mood, the more it’s clear that what we eat is central to living the life the way we want to live it—filled with energy, optimism and simply feeling good inside and out. We’ve built such a passionate community in the Boston area and are thrilled to introduce Washington D.C. to the idea that eating food you crave can also fuel the life you crave,” said CEO Bryan Timko.
photo by by Scott Suchman
LIFE ALIVE MENU
Life Alive’s D.C. menu features energizing, nutrient and protein-dense dishes—including warm grain bowls, fresh salads, hearty handhelds, ramen style broth and noodle bowls and seasonal soups. Artfully scratch-prepared and made-to-order, Life Alive’s fare highlights organic, whole ingredients, irresistible house-made sauces and dressings and steers clear of highly processed foods and excessive use of oil, refined sugar and sodium.
The brand’s Juice Bar offers a colorful lineup of hand-crafted beverages including nutritious smoothies, cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, superfood lattes and hand-shaken teas. Additionally, the bar features a variety of signature coffee and espresso beverages, featuring Intelligentsia Coffee and popular items like its Vanilla Tahini Latte and Banana Oat Cold Brew.
The cafe also takes pride in its rotating seasonal menu, which allows guests to enjoy ingredients at their peak freshness, quality, and nutritional value.
“Positive eating means mindfully crafting dishes to taste as good as they make you feel,” says Chef Dylan Mendelsohn, Head of Culinary Innovation. “We focus on creating recipes that are full of good-for-you ingredients and leave you feeling more energized when you leave than when you arrived. Each dish is designed with intention, to fuel our guests’ health and wellness while supporting sustainability and the planet.”
The full menu can be viewed HERE (PDF).
photo by by Scott Suchman
CAFÉ DESIGN
Life Alive’s new Washington, D.C. cafe offers a vibrant and welcoming space for all. The design features warm hardwood floors, warm pops of color, cork wall accents, and abundant greenery, creating a fresh, natural atmosphere. Large windows bring in natural light, enhancing the bright, airy feel, while thoughtfully placed lighting adds warmth.
The 75-seat cafe, spanning 3,300 square feet offers a range of seating options, from cozy nooks to communal tables and a spacious patio to enjoy during D.C.’s warmer months. Guests can delight in ample outlets for plugging in electronics and complimentary Wi-Fi in a light-filled, spacious setting, providing the West End neighborhood with an uplifting space to gather, relax, and work.
LIFE ALIVE X CHEF ROB RUBBA EXCLUSIVE DISH
To mark its grand opening, Life Alive has partnered with chef Rob Rubba, the James Beard award-winning chef/owner of the Michelin-starred and Green-starred Oyster Oyster, to create an exclusive ramen bowl. This special dish will be available beginning opening day until February 28th. The partnership represents a mutual dedication to environmentally conscious, innovative cuisine.
Rubba, celebrated for his pioneering approach to sustainable, zero-waste cooking, has crafted a unique bowl exclusively for the D.C. location––Soil & Sea Ramen ($14.95) featuring a rich, umami-packed mushroom broth that serves as the foundation for ramen noodles, complemented by chili garlic oyster mushrooms, hon shimeji mushrooms, seaweed, turnips, and collard greens. Topped with enoki mushrooms and fresh scallions, this bowl offers a harmony of bold flavors, vibrant textures, and nourishing ingredients.
“It has been a pleasure to collaborate with the Life Alive team,” said Rubba. “The brand shares a strong commitment to sustainability and seasonality while working towards the future of food and breaking down the dichotomy that bold, satiating flavors can, in fact, be healthy and beneficial to the earth. This partnership brings me great joy, and I can’t wait for guests to experience what we created.”
OPENING DAY FESTIVITIES
To celebrate the grand opening on Tuesday, January 28th, Life Alive will be handing out branded tote bags to the first 100 guests in line. Each bag will include a branded cap, Life Alive’s house granola and an offer to be redeemed for a complimentary grain bowl to be used on the next visit.
Additionally, Life Alive will be offering each guest a complimentary latté or cappuccino, from 7am to 4pm, or while supplies last.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Sunday: 7 AM–9 PM”