It’s a cozy Friday morning in Silver Spring, and I’m headed out for a long-overdue catch-up with my friend, Gina. She’d insisted we meet at a new café she’d been meaning to try—Prime Coffee and Bakery, tucked neatly into the heart of downtown Silver Spring. I’m always up for discovering new local gems, and one thing I suspected right away was that this spot had to be Ethiopian-owned.
If you’ve spent any time in Silver Spring, you already know: Ethiopian businesses are on every corner. From restaurants to bakeries and coffee houses, the Ethiopian community has shaped the cultural and economic identity of this Maryland suburb for decades. Silver Spring has quietly become a second home for Ethiopian immigrants since the late 1970s, when many arrived in the Washington, D.C. metro area, fleeing political unrest back home. Over the years, they’ve built a thriving community—one that’s as warm and aromatic as a pot of freshly brewed buna (coffee).
Traffic was brutal that morning (and no, not because of CPT time, thank you very much). By the time I arrived, Gina was seated at the sunniest corner of the café’s patio, basking in the warmth.
“I came in feeling cold, so this seat was just perfect for me,” she said, smiling.
Inside, the café’s ambiance immediately struck me—modern yet homey, with minimalist décor and earthy tones that carried the comforting scent of roasted beans. Before we dove into our catch-up, I made my way to the counter. Everything on the menu looked tempting, from the French pastries to elaborate coffee blends.
After some indecision (and an overly long internal debate), I ordered a pistachio latte and a grilled cheese sandwich—with a quick glance at the Napoleon pastry I’d abandoned. The barista, warm and patient, explained every ingredient as if she were sharing a secret recipe. Back at our table, Gina teased, “I’m sure you’ll love it anyway.” She was right.
The latte struck the perfect balance between sweet and salty, the kind that’s both sip-worthy and Instagram-worthy. My sandwich arrived on a neatly plated dish—too beautiful to ruin, yet too good to resist. The first bite had that satisfying crunch that makes you pause mid-conversation just to appreciate good bread.
As the food impressed, so did the atmosphere. The cozy space had this quiet hum of calm productivity—people chatting softly, a few on laptops, all wrapped in the warmth of freshly brewed coffee. By the time Gina and I finished catching up, I was already curious to know who was behind this hidden gem.
Meet Nasir, the Man Behind Prime Coffee and Bakery
Before leaving, I decided to ask for the manager. A gentleman emerging from the kitchen stopped as I called out, and when I explained I worked with a local media platform, he smiled modestly and said, “Actually, I’m the owner.” That’s how I met Nasir, the man behind Prime Café.
He admitted he doesn’t often do interviews or call attention to himself. “I like to stay behind the scenes,” he said. But once he started talking about his craft, his quiet pride came through vividly.
He led me behind the counter to a gleaming machine that looked like something straight out of a science lab. “This is our in-house roaster,” he explained. “We roast all our coffee ourselves, using beans sourced directly from Ethiopia.”
In a corner, burlap sacks of green coffee beans stood stacked—each one imported directly from small Ethiopian farms. “Every bag tells a story,” Nasir said, running his hand along one.
“We want people here to experience coffee the way it’s meant to be experienced—fresh, authentic, and full of character.”
A quick tour of the kitchen revealed a spotless open workspace, with an attention to detail that mirrored the café’s presentation. From roasting to plating, everything was handled with quiet precision.
What Makes Prime Café Different
While D.C. and Silver Spring are dotted with Ethiopian cafés, Prime Coffee and Bakery stands out for its balance in delivering fresh, high-quality ingredients in every cup and pastry. Prime Café has quietly become Silver Spring’s authenticity and modern café culture. It’s where Ethiopian coffee heritage meets third-wave coffee aesthetics—beautiful latte art, thoughtful presentation, and a menu that appeals to health enthusiasts and true coffee lovers.
For Nasir, that’s intentional.
“We pride ourselves on crafting premium coffee and artisanal baked goods that bring people together. Our passion is providing a healthy alternative for café dining: delivering fresh, high-quality ingredients in every cup and every pastry while providing a cozy space where friends, family, and neighbors can connect.”
Silver Spring’s Quiet Coffee Revolution
What’s happening in Silver Spring is more than a caffeine trend—it’s cultural storytelling through coffee. From Kefa Café to Black Lion Café, the community’s cafés are becoming extensions of home, connection, and pride.
Prime Café is the latest chapter in that story—proof that Silver Spring isn’t just a suburb anymore. It’s the new capital of Ethiopian coffee in America.
As I left, Nasir thanked me with a bag of pastries. I made sure I got the Napoleon I initially had my eyes on.
