Gateway

Small Planes Coffee is a specialty coffee roastery in Washington, D.C., founded in 2017 by Ryan and Jill Jensen to bring producers and drinkers closer together through quality, transparency, and connection. Located just steps from the National Arboretum, the roastery was built around a simple belief — that coffee, when sourced and shared with intention, has the power to unite people across continents and communities. Guided by the idea that “coffee is connection,” Small Planes works to shrink the distance between origin and cup. The team builds direct, accountable relationships with coffee producers around the world, ensuring that every coffee reflects both the care of its farmers and the character of its terroir. Ethical sourcing, sustainability, and long-term collaboration are at the heart of their approach. Their menu spans approachable blends and adventurous single origins, offering something for every coffee drinker. Core blends like Arboretum (milk chocolate, toasted nuts, ripe fruit), Gateway (rich and comforting), Obelisk (molasses and dark chocolate), and Colonnade (butterscotch and caramel) are complemented by rotating seasonal and single-origin offerings that highlight the diversity of coffee flavor. Beyond roasting, Small Planes fosters community through regular public cuppings, partnerships with D.C. cafés such as Peregrine Espresso and Slipstream, and a welcoming space at their 2400 T Street NE roastery. Thoughtful, balanced, and community-centered, Small Planes Coffee embodies the belief that every great cup brings the world a little closer together.