Kentlands Photography Cafe

309 Main St, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, United States
+1 202-684-1947
$$$ Art cafe
(41 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Nestled in the heart of Gaithersburg at 309 Main St, the Kentlands Photography Cafe is truly a gem that harmoniously blends art, community, and the comforting ambiance of a classic café. As an art cafe, this delightful spot offers much more than just a place to sip coffee; it is a sanctuary for creativity, a cultural hub where local artists shine, and a cozy meeting place for friends and community members alike.

Upon entering, you're greeted by an array of stunning photographs adorning the walls, each with its own story waiting to be told. The cafe doubles as a gallery, showcasing the incredible works of local photographers—an element that sets this establishment apart from your average coffee shop. Patrons like Rachel Ellis rave about the beautiful selection of local art, all of which is available for purchase. The layered textures and vibrant colors invite you into a world of artistic expression, making you feel connected to the creative community that surrounds you.

Moreover, the atmosphere at Kentlands Photography Cafe is both warm and welcoming. Many visitors, including Julie Lieblich and Renuka C, have expressed their appreciation for the attentive and friendly staff, who are eager to make your experience memorable. Whether you're there to catch up over a luscious cappuccino and a delightful gluten-free brownie or to unwind with a glass of wine after a long day, you’ll find the perfect spot to relax.

The menu showcases a blend of high-quality coffees, teas (including Tazo), and delectable pastries sourced from local vendors—each bite a testament to the cafe's commitment to supporting local businesses. Danny Kim highlights the supportive spirit of the place, where you can indulge in delicious light fare while savoring a curated selection of wines. The local treat offerings are ever-changing, which keeps the experience fresh and exciting.

If you're a book lover, this cafe hosts a cozy book corner filled with titles for you to browse as you sip your drink or enjoy a quiet moment of solitude. The ambiance is accented by the gentle hum of conversation, the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the occasional laughter shared among friends. Customers like Maha appreciate the personal touch from the owner, who not only serves delicious drinks but takes the time to share the history behind the art within the cafe.

Although outdoor seating is not yet established, plans are in the works, promising an even more inviting space to enjoy the beautiful Maryland weather. This quaint nook in the Kentlands neighborhood is fast becoming a cherished gathering spot where both art aficionados and casual coffee drinkers come together to appreciate the interplay of art and flavor.

In conclusion, Kentlands Photography Cafe is more than just a cafe; it is a vibrant community hub where art, culture, and culinary delights intersect. Whether you’re looking to meet a friend, work on a creative project, or simply enjoy a peaceful escape, this enchanting cafe welcomes you with open arms and a rich tapestry of local talent.

Service options
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Coffee
Prepared foods
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Amenities
Bar on site
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Crowd
Family friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space
Payments
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
41 Reviews
Maha

18 Aug 2025

I had such a wonderful experience here! I happened to be in the neighborhood and this place caught my attention. The barista made me a delicious drink and showed me around. I fell in love with a beautiful photo that I ended up reserving. The owner explained more about the photographer and the history behind the photo and I couldn’t have been more pleased. It’s so nice to meet business owners who are passionate about their work. Overall, such a cute space and worth checking out if you’re into art/photo collecting.

Danny Kim

16 Aug 2025

Kentlands Photography Cafe is an excellent local spot to hang out, relax, or do work. They support local businesses by selling a variety of foods and wines from local vendors, and photo prints from local photographers that can be seen hung around the wall. Overall, a great experience, and a great way to spend an afternoon or evening!

Renuka C

08 Aug 2025

We found this cute cafe in the Kentlands. The friendly owner provides great service. The coffee is good quality, so is the tea (Tazo) and yummy pastries, including a delicious gluten free brownie! Free hot water refills on the tea are nice because the standard to go cup size is an 8oz. Great experience; we’ll be back!

Coral Colón

05 Aug 2025

Great place to sit and relax. Good wine selection and friendly service. I didn't try their baked goods and coffee but will in my future visits. The cafe walls are adorned with the work of local photographers and it extends to an additional gallery room.

Rachel Ellis

02 Aug 2025

Wonderful selection of local art. Super nice about providing contact info if interested in displaying any photography yourself. No outdoor seating currently, but they said it’s coming soon. Door was left open on a nice day for a lovely breeze. Great place for a glass of wine, coffee or light faire. Books are for sale or to peruse. All art is for sale also. Great addition to the Kentlands conveniently located near Yoyogi, the meadery and a lovely outdoor seating area.

Julie Lieblich

22 Jul 2025

Wonderful cafe with a kind, attentive staff. It is a delightful place for a fabulous cappuccino and a pastry. There is beautiful artwork on display and the atmosphere is warm and comfortable. This is now my go-to neighborhood place for business meet-ups!

Lydia Park

19 Jul 2025

The owner is extremely nice, friendly and easy to talk to. It reminds me of a mix of the quirky themed cafes in Asia and the many tiny hole-in-the-wall bars in Japan where the owners are also the sole bartender. The cafe serves light alcohol and European pastries and foods. The photo gallery downstairs is really cool and showcases techniques I wasn’t aware of. The book shelves are full of photography books to look through with a variety of topics. An amazing place to relax in. It’s one of the rare businesses with a vision to better the community.

Elizabeth Hung

25 Jun 2025

Iason opened up the kentlands photography cafe on 2/4/22. It is a combination of a book cafe, photography gallery and coffee shop. The pastries and savory menu items are all from local restaurants, one from kentlands. Candace and Iason are lovely and explained the vision of the cafe to support local photographers and also local restaurants and cafes. There is a book cafe corner and also Wi-fi. There are plans to place a few outdoor tables in the front. There are amazing pastries and greek menu items. I am so excited for this new addition to kentlands! Such a unique and beautiful relaxing space. And a great place to support local photographers.

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