Eastern Market just got even better.
A Popular Smoothie Café Heads to Capitol Hill
South Block, the Northern Virginia-born smoothie and açaí bowl café, is opening a new location at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE in DC’s Eastern Market neighborhood. The brand signed a lease with EastBanc Inc. and plans to open in early 2027. Since launching in Arlington’s Clarendon neighborhood in 2011, South Block has grown to 26 locations across DC, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. The mission has stayed the same throughout: make people feel awesome one block at a time. That energy is now headed to one of DC’s most iconic food corridors.
Fresh Açaí, Fair-Trade Ingredients, and a Block Party
The Eastern Market café will serve South Block’s full lineup of made-to-order açaí bowls, smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and toasts—all crafted with fresh fruit and organic, fair-trade açaí. Founder and CEO Amir Mostafavi called the opening “especially meaningful,” noting DC has been home to the brand for 15 years. He’s a DMV native. The growth feels personal. Additionally, a portion of every purchase supports Fruitful Planet, South Block’s nonprofit providing fresh produce to communities in need. To mark the grand opening, the café will host a block party with a live DJ, family activities, and free açaí bowls for the first 100 guests!
A Natural Fit for the Eastern Market Neighborhood
EastBanc, the real estate firm behind the 700 Penn space, has a long track record of shaping DC’s neighborhood retail landscape. CEO Philippe Lanier praised South Block’s dedication to quality and community as an ideal addition to the evolving Eastern Market streetscape. In turn, South Block keeps expanding with purpose. Good food. Real connection. The café will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Follow South Block on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates!
Location: 700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC. | Average cost: $10–$15.
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