Cool place to check out. Downstairs is a coffee shop although limited food items are for purchase. Upstairs is a small record shop. Customer service was great. Coffee was a little expensive and I was disappointed they do not have sandwiches any longer. Waffles are still available. The record we purchased ended up being scratched so my daughter was super bummed about spending the $35. I don't think I will go back but it was a fun checking out some place new. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This cafe has a warm ambience and good seating for working or chatting. But the tables wrapping around the bar makes it feel crowded. Worse, the drip coffee was very dark and a bit (think subpar donut shop coffee). Maybe I just went on a bad day...I may give it another chance... read more

I've enjoy checking out various indie cafes and coffee houses. Soon I start a gig up north in Lynnwood/Mill Creek, so I've been focusing on covering some south of downtown Seattle. I've visited Redwing in Rainier Beach, Tin Umbrella in Hillman City, The Station and Victrola on Beacon Hill, All City Coffee in Georgetown, Cortona Café and Tougo in the CD/Madrona....today I decided to visit Empire Espresso in Columbia City. One thing I've noticed is that this particular neighborhood sure was vibrant and hopping at around 11:30am. Lots of pedestrian traffic and most of the businesses I walked past were well on its way to being packed for lunch. Empire Espresso falls under this category, as this newbie observed walking in. Empire Espresso is further up from the intersection of Rainier Ave S and S Edmunds. Go well past the Starbucks on the corner. It is located on the street level of a modernish building, it's laptop land, café office, with a hip vibe to it. There's only a row of ten two tops along one side and a stainless steel table towards the back. There's outdoor seating too, but it was a bit brisk today. During my visit, the tables turned over reasonably quickly, but all depends on timing. First I had to ponder - waffle or panini. I went with savory and sweet. I placed my order up front with the barista/counter staff: 16 ounce mocha (sweet) and a Panini #1 which had sliced turkey, provolone, fresh spinach leaves and a generous smear of horseradish (savory). Thankfully, there was one seat left as I scanned the row briefly. It felt like I was walking down an airline aisle! Most of the folks there were all focused on their laptops or tablets which tells me there's great WiFi connection here. One pair next to me were at least conversing, so I didn't feel completely like I was in some college study hall or subdued office cube farm. Plus decent music being played...laughed to myself when Aqua's Barbie Girl came on. BTW the food/drink order is brought to your table fairly quickly, which was a nice touch. Originally, I had planned to have Senegalese food down the street, but sure glad I ordered this particular panini sandwich. The focaccia was sliced thin and generously filled with the ingredients mentioned earlier. It's perfectly warm, melty, spinach wilted from the heat, but with still a crunch, and the wake me up horseradish touch. Add in the awesome mocha - perfect temp, balanced flavor, and nice art work. The folks at Empire Espresso know their stuff. Great lunch that truly hit the spot for under $15. This newbie was looking for the bus tub at the end, you know the sort your trash/recycling/compost station routine. Turns out bringing it to the front counter works. As I settled up my bill up front, I made the comment that Empire Espresso was worth the drive to/from Shoreline. Turns out I was talking to one of the owners who comes to work from Edmonds! Still had to get my baker's dozen of Super Chip cookies from Columbia City Bakery afterwards, but definitely highly recommend Empire Espresso if you're in this particular neighborhood. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Tasty lunch - mocha and panini #1 (turkey, provolone, spinach and horseradish) from Empire Espresso - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Delicious coffee and a really cool record store. Try their house made almond milk with your latte

This cafe is so cute and aesthetically pleasing! It's kinda small but they have outside sitting. Perfect for those nice days out! :) The drink menu is a bit small and I wish they had frappes but the taste makes up for it, I guess! My first order here was just a blackberry Italian soda because it was like the closest thing to a frappe/smoothie. xD it was nicely made! They use a cute tin cup when you dine in, to keep the drinks cold! Their food menu has a good variety! I wasn't planning on buying food but I saw that they had happy hour grilled cheese for only $2.50 so I had to try it out! It was pretty good, but would have been better with some marinara sauce or something. :x Overall, I like this place a lot! No wonder it has such a high rating! read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Nicely made grilled cheese ($2.50 during happy hour) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This a a very narrow "shotgun" style coffee shop. The set up is terrible, with the register as soon as you step through the door. This means that if there is another person (or several) in front of you then you are stuck in the doorway or outside. In our lovely Seattle weather this is a lousy situation 3/4 of the year. The coffee rotates so you always have a few options. This would be a positive but in the few times I've been here the varieties are always super fruity. This is personal preference, so if you prefer the fruity coffee then maybe you'll love it here. Service is fine- never terrible, but never anything above ordinary. There is a small patio if the weather is good. Indoor seating is limited, but you are constantly apologizing as you shimmy up and down the narrow walkway. read more

Love love loved this place. Espresso was delicious and I loved exploring each teeny floor of this unique cafe. The art and the little seating areas are so fun. And the records...the records! Love me some vinyl records. So whimsical, best cafe ever. read more

Coffee: I got the cayenne mocha. Supposedly one of their popular drinks but it wasn't really doin it for me. The mocha was good minus the spices in my throat. Id be down to try their Horchata next time. The coffee is probably a 4 (if I had it without the cayenne, cayenne mocha itself only gets 2.5 from me). Food: They have paninis and waffles. I was pretty disappointed that they only serve the waffles with a toppings bar on the weekends. Because there are like NO toppings! I ended up doing half of the waffle with Nutella and almonds (bananas were not part of the bar) and the other half with this berries/syrup thing. Besides that there was just cinnamon, coconut flakes, pb, chocolate chips, etc. disappointing. On weekdays, there's no waffle bar so you can actually have decent toppings on top. Friends got some paninis and they were pretty good. I give food a 4 but waffle bar a 1. Waffle itself was not bad but will never do waffle bar again. Notes: The place is not that big and with more customers than seats. It was full for the first 15 mins I was there on a Sunday at noon. Ok place for 2-3 ppl but not good for any bigger group. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Cayenne mocha. Don't love the cayenne but yay for coffee art! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Came to this spot for some breakfast and coffee and it did not disappoint! Got an iced lavender latte with oat milk, an iced cayenne mocha, a vegan/gluten-free waffle, and the chia pudding - all were very good. The coffee was flavorful and not too sweet and the food was delicious. The waffle was crispy on the outside and perfectly chewy on the inside and the chia pudding was fresh and the granola on top was really good. So good that we actually bought some to take with us! The workers were also very kind and talkative! 5 stars overall! read more

Empire Roasters & Records - chia pudding - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The whole package! Friendly staff, delicious coffee and pastries, and lots of nooks and crannies to sit and enjoy both. Also fun to look through the vintage records, and the neighborhood views from the second and third floor are awesome. read more

Empire Espresso is a hip coffee shop in Columbia City. Tucked away from the main street (Rainier Ave), it's a nice reprieve for a caffeine fix! The space and aisle ways are a bit tight and the wooden seats aren't very comfortable as well. However, the cafe is a nice neighborhood business that you should check out at least once. Definitely try the cayenne mocha ($4 for a 12 oz cup). It's chocolatey flavor has a subtle kick. Otherwise, the place smells of waffle batter and butter goodness. The waffles are deliciously simple and the savory panini options aren't bad at $7-$9 each. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Cayenne Mocha with a kick! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I came into this coffee shop to do some work which ended up fine. They have free wifi and, on a Saturday night, the place doesn't get packed which is fortunate since its a rather small coffee shop. My first experience at Empire Espresso was not at all impressive. The barista didn't immediately come to me at the register when I was ready to order because he was having a conversation if a girl sitting wanted a "grill cheese sandwich" or a "grillED cheese sandwich." I awkwardly stood there for a minute and had to wait until their little back and forth was over. I ordered a 16oz. latte. The barista came to my table with it which was really nice. It was okay. It came out really hot though (I burnt my tongue) and the milk fat rose to the top and there was a slight sourness. Sticky tables. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Latte (4.50) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I came here to get some work done and had a delicious latte. The staff was great and they were playing SZA the entire time I was there which is what I would have been listening to anyway had I put in headphones. I had no trouble getting a place to sit and enjoy my drink! read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Came here to study around 2pm and boy was it crowded! There were only two spots left at the larger table they have in the back. I guess rainy Seattle keeps people in coffee shops. It's a cute little shop with tight seating arrangements along the wall. It's probably best to come alone or with one other person. Tables aren't that large. It can get a little dim but they'll probably turn on more lighting. Upon entering, I was greeted by the barista and took a look at their menu. They have some sandwiches, waffles, and some other goods. I mostly looked at their espresso. I've read about the cayenne mocha and decided to give that a try. The barista said go ahead and find a seat and I'll bring this out to you. Interesting, okay! I don't have to pay right now. I ended up paying just before I left. The mocha itself was a little too spicy for me, but I can see the intent with the cayenne. I will have to give the regular mocha a try. There's a 50 cent charge if you use your credit card, but the barista was nice enough to give me an extra punch on my new stamp card. I think it's a nice environment to get some work done, not overly loud. They have some seating outside so I'm excited for a nice sunny day! I will probably be back since this place is nearby has a lot of outlets and wifi. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Cayenne mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great espresso. Really varied service. Wondering why the back door must be wide open when it's 40 degrees outside. No answer when asked, but baristo insists. Looks from this freezing seat that his flannel shirt and wool cap are more important than having a place to sit for customers. Bummer read more

The ginger spice latte was INCREDIBLE and I don't usually drink lattes because they're so sweet and milky. Excited to find an excuse to return. I love that it was made with honey and not cane sugar. The cortado with house-made cashew milk was fantastic. The cashew milk is sweetened with dates and when foamed reminds me of marshmallows. Treat yourself! read more

Two of us stopped for a coffee, and the rating is primarily based on the drinks. AMBIANCE: 3.5. Narrow interior with tables lined up on one side and a large table in back. Most tables occupied by solitary people focused on their PC or Mac. Seating outside on 3 sides of building; we sat at the two person table located outside at the front of the shop; was pleasant in the shade on a sunny July day. In addition to coffee, a few pastries are available, though we didn't try any. COFFEE: 2.0 - ESPRESSO: 3.5. Quite nice, and served with a small side of mineral water. - AMERICANO: 0.5. Very odd; didn't fit the reviews we had read. We have drank much coffee around the world over the years; this stood out as unusually tasteless. Quietly mentioned the bad experience to a barista, and she kindly offered to send us another. No change in taste. The taste seemed very weak - maybe there was a problem with the machine or that batch of beans. In any case, we could not drink it past a couple of sips. SERVICE: 3.0. The kindness and pleasant attitude of the barista who offered us a replacement Americano offset the otherwise un-warm service. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Epresso came with a small glass of mineral water - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Chill coffee shop with small but delicious menu and cheery and friendly employees. Loved the afternoon I spent working from this sweet little spot! The employees were so friendly. They readily answered my questions and I soon found myself working away while listening to some smooth tunes and enjoying a lunchtime cheeseboard. I later ordered a pour over which was a nice afternoon pick me up. It should be noted that they do not have drip coffee available if that's what you're looking for. The restroom was very clean. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. They also have plenty of gluten free options. I can't wait to go back and try a gluten free waffle! read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Awesome staff, great coffee, movie tier location. 10/10 Coffee shop I come here almost every day

Where else in Seattle can you grab some coffee, a record or two, and play a round of Marvel vs. Capcom? Always enjoy coming here.

Went there for the first time this past weekend, the coffee was amazing and the people were great. i went upstairs and bought four records, my total was around $108 with tax, and when i looked on my bank account next day they charged me $130. My partner noticed the same thing with his record purchase. im assuming they might have automatically added a tip or something went wrong with their POS system after i hit cancel (and i of course passed on getting a receipt so not sure if its fixable). i'll be sticking to the coffee next time i go (i tipped for my drink orders for any negative nancys out there, it just felt odd to tip for checking out a material object). read more

A nice coffeeshop in Columbia City. Pros are the wafflebar, the record store upstairs, and the outdoor seating. Cons are there are sometimes lines bc of only one person working the register and I wish there was a better selection of baked goods. read more

This is my Go to Spot, for meet and greet "Doula Interviews" it's easily accessible from the rail and bus lines. I love their herbal teas and cute decor. I just wish it was bigger! I love going upstairs to have some quite time and get some work done. read more

This is a quaint little coffee shop in Columbia City that serves up a great cup of coffee. I've tried the French press coffee, and I believe they use Kuma coffee beans for their drinks. Delicious. I also had one of their donuts, which came from Mighty-O's. I'm a donut and coffee guy, so that definitely hits the spot for me. One thing I wish was better is the seating. The tables are pretty small, and they are lower than what I would expect when sitting on the bench. So in using my laptop, I found myself having to crouch down to type, which made it a little harder to come here and do work. The service is friendly, and the space, while small, is well maintained. It's a great coffee shop in Columbia City. read more

Truly authentic, yes even for Seattle. A little hard to find but just around the corner from Starbucks. The espresso was fruity, almost strawberry (Myanmar, Myin Dwin). The breakfast sandwich hearty - word of caution, you must like arugula if you order one. Another reminder I'm in Seattle, they have squash-bread muffins. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Really great coffee! I love their cashew milk, it's sweet so I usually get one extra shot and it's perfect for me. Their roast is not acidic and resembles Olympia coffee a little bit more than I would compare it to Stumptown coffee if you're familiar with those. The line moves slow at times and they're a little grumpy working there, but coffee is great and don't hang out in there so I'm not as affected. read more

I love love love this cafe! It's off the beaten path but apparently word has got out how cute it is because it was packed upon entry! I'm not sure if they have an upstairs however there are stairs when you first walk in but we didn't brave it and explore. Their coffee is really very good, their chai I didn't care for I think the bakery does a better one but no great loss. Their cups and serve ware are really nice here, nice looking pottery almost, very lovely. They also have some food offerings which we will give a try next time but the big draw here is the huge door in back like a garage door. Although we visited in winter, the summer months reading and sipping a cup of joe would prove very relaxing at this tucked away spot! read more

I came here because it was down the street from my Airbnb. It's local and neighborhood friendly. The coffee experience is just eh.. I had a Kenyan roast made through an Aeropress. What this is, is that coffee and water are only in contact at about 30 secs. The first 15 secs are like a press pot which coffee grounds and hot water are met. The last remaining 25 secs or so work like an espresso machine; hot water is under high pressure and forced through the coffee grounds. The results is a nice drip which brings out the flavors from the beans. The place is bland, small, no outlets, etc. It's a decent place for a coffee stop before work or school. read more

Went in, order two drinks with different milks, asked to clarify so as a hearing impaired person repeated in a more direct manner, guy rolls his eyes. Guy says he was only clarifying so I mentioned the eye roll. He denied. Gave us the same milk on both orders, husband returned with the barista talking about us, insisted the milk was correct, would not remake. That's the experience read more

What a great place! Terrific location just off the beaten path in Columbia City (with the usual CC parking foibles). Outdoor seating area, updated building, delicious paninis and gorgeous-looking rotating waffle specials. I met my campaign crew here a few times over the last few months and was always happy to meet here instead of the Rainier Valley McDonald's O_o During the summer, it was almost too warm to sit inside, but that's what those outdoor seats are for ;) During colder days though, I would run inside and relish the warmth mmmmm The horseradish on their turkey panini is dynamite in your face. What a great mix of flavors. Their coffee is well-made, and they have always gotten my order right. Prices are very fair too! The only concern is the small space. Ordering your drink then doing almost a masochistic tango with a bunch of people you don't know while ordering then waiting for your drink is a little overwhelming. Unless frotteurism is your thing. Then this may not bother you at all. Lovely spot to meet one friend. ONE friend. That's all that will fit! read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Check out this menu! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

They brought me in with the World Cup but they kept me here with their waffles. The atmosphere is still pretty awesome mostly due to the staff and having a tiny little space amongst all the brick-facade townhouse-looking business space. Hey summer, hurry up and get there -- I'm waiting to enjoy the outdoor seating. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Cool Coffee Chai spot off the beaten Rainier path. Currently in 'hood discovery mode so I swung by here last night for some munchies and shtuff. Neat, subtle decor with futbol banners. A few non-threatening dings to the 5-stars are: -if you're table is uneven, the table pegs are screwed pads, so you can manually adjust. -i noticed some folks squatting down to plug in their laptops under the wall bench. If the gap between bench and backrest was bigger, you can just reach under and guide while sitting. -it's a bit crowded going through so barista may just put your order on counter. -When placed on said counter, Sonya could speak up a bit more when announcing orders (bit of a soft voice). Ok, onward! Sonya didn't give me any awkward stares or vibe while I popped in and just perused the menus ("Wow, I thought to myself. Alcohol, paninis, waffles, coffee, chai...!"). I told Sonya (working last night) that I might order different things. First was the Turkey Havarti + HR sauce panini + water. Next was chai. She said it was Travelers; I didn't find it online so I'm guessing their masala from Capitol Hill? And finally, the YUM evening waffles with walnuts, cinnamon and honey. I told Sonya I like Chai and tried it around, so she was curious how I liked it. I told her kind of hesitantly slow----"you don't like it, it's ok I won't charge you for it" ....what?! I'll pay for it. No it's ok. *further brief chat ensues* You're too kind Sonya and carry a pleasing soft voice. Indeed, I shall be back. P.S. Whatever CD, playlist, radio station was playing the airwaves, it's cool. P.P.S. Table height is rather short, so if you're tall like me, expect to hunch over a bit. read more

I love this café! One of the best in town; it is pretty small, but it has a very comforting and warm atmosphere! I came in to grind in some work with a friend as well as to try their coffees, came out with no regrets. We came in at around 4:30pm so there was not much time in our visit, considering how we were there to work on some papers, but it was very pleasant! There was only one staff present at the time, but he was VERY kind and patient. I came in super disoriented, thus lagging out here and there whilst ordering... despite having to repeat this and that a few times, he still had a patient smile on his face. I really appreciate that, as if I were dealing with myself, I would have just blew a big sigh and tell myself to come back when I was more ready. Customer service aside, their coffee was absolute heaven. I got a 16oz hazelnut latte, while my friend got a cayenne mocha. Both tasted one of the best I have had in a while! I really recommend both mentioned drinks. Last thing I have to note, though, is that they served our coffees in unusual cups. It's totally different from the ones on all of the other reviews-- it had no handle. Perhaps because it was the cup used to serve 16oz coffee? It did cause some inconvenience, but that was the only complaint! This is a beautiful café, and I am sure to come back soon! :') read more

Empire Roasters & Records - top: cayenne mocha bottom: hazelnut latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I have struggled a bit with writing this review. Columbia City is such a small and tight-knit community with so many locally owned businesses, I never try to leave a negative review, especially after only one negative interaction. However Empire has been so hit and miss over the years and this one particular interaction put me over the edge. Since coffee is handmade over there, it's definitely been variable. I have gotten some of the worst drinks I've ever tasted there, literal loose coffee grounds floating around in multiple iced drinks, and like a lot of coffee grounds, and way more than once, and occasionally I think shots have been missed and forgotten or the coffee has tasted bad and sour. Just very off drinks. But I've honestly also gotten some of my favorite drinks I've ever had from this location too, but after the negatives started to outweigh the good I sort of stopped going. It stopped being just an occasional fluke, and most of the coffee started tasting bad. I have instead been frequenting the new locally owned shop around the corner instead. The other day, I decided to mix things up and try Empire again, especially because one of their signature drinks used to be my favorite. Due to the social distancing protocol they are only allowing one person inside, and that is totally understandable. It was a nice day and I waited in line. I watched the barista make coffee and small talk with the other customers in front of me, they seemed to be particularly friendly with a couple guests, maybe they where regulars, but they chatted for a while after coffees where made. Again, completely cool. Then when I get in I ordered my drink and took a quick glance at the items on the shelf that where for sale. They had what looked like growlers of chai tea sitting out on the shelves, how interesting. I know every company is trying to offer different products and services during this time. So I enquired if they sold growlers of chai tea. The person working scoffed at me like I was completely stupid for being curious about that, then they explained that's how their chai tea is delivered, and they don't sell it like that. Apparently while I was ordering their chai tea supplier had also shown up. There was a person with a dolly full of boxes waiting outside. The barista then points to the person outside and told me "The person who delivers our chai tea is actually here waiting outside, and they are just waiting for you to leave so they can come in and deliver it". Honestly I felt so unvalued as a customer, the baristas tone was rude and annoyed. When at that point they hadn't even made my drink, I had only ordered and paid and was just waiting. I was not even really making small talk like all the other customers had, but showing interest in a product I thought might be for sale. I felt rushed, and like I was being pushed out of the shop, like my service wasn't even wanted. I felt like I was being treated like a loiter, even though the product I had ordered wasn't even ready yet, I had no where else to go while I waited for my coffee. I waited patiently for everyone in front of me, the wait was about 15 minutes, I thought I would be treated decently when my turn was up. Plus the delivery person must have just gotten there, since they where definitely not on line behind me, I was the last person in line of what I assumed was the lunch rush. I guess after all the years of subpar coffee, this interaction it what pushed me over the edge and warranted a negative review. And the coffee also wasn't the greatest. I will definitely take my business elsewhere in the future, and would recommend the same for other potential customers. read more

Love everything here. Coffee is always excellent. service is so friendly and atmosphere is very welcoming and homey. On the weekend, don't miss their buffet waffle bar. This place is worth a drive from Seattle DT, if you are looking for cozy coffee place. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Breakfast plate # 10 : Antipasto - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is one of my go-to cafes for studying or for breakfast/lunch. Their panini is delicious! My favorite is the number 6. Ham, egg & provolone. It's crunchy on the outside, cheesy and chewy on the inside. Although, depending on who makes it, it can taste a little salty due to the ham. I love the fact that their food is made fresh. They don't just store it in a freezer and throw it in the oven when you order. Even the ham and egg they use for their panini is fresh! They also have nice herbal teas. The downside is that it can get a bit busy and crowded on the weekends, so finding a seat would be difficult. Another one is their parking. There's 2 hour street parking and you could get a ticket for exceeding two hours. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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3 words: yum, yum and more yum! This is my new favorite hideaway in the neighborhood. Cayenne mocha was rich and strong and spicy instead of overly sweet. I also tried the waffle with walnuts, cinnamon, and honey and my taste buds were awakened! The waffle had a very slight meal texture, which allowed the honey soaked waffle to retain its crisp edges and moist and chewy insides. They don't hold back on the walnuts so the price tag was well worth it. It was so large I could only finish half my waffle. Maybe they'll consider making mini waffles and cut the price in half? The vibe was welcoming and laid back as most people were reading, surfing the net or catching up on work. Before I knew it, 3 hours had passed. I'll definitely be back to try the panini and other waffles before I leave town. read more

Empire Roasters & Records - It tastes just as good as it looks! Oh I've missed Seattle coffee :) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Grew up frequenting this area for decades, but never knew this place existed (or even the cute shops surrounding it) until yelp pointed me here one day. Parking was pretty easy to find since it sits a little outside the main street, the cafe has a decent amount of tables in and outside to work, chat or chill in, and the menu and coffee options looked good. In a rush, I decided to just order a regular latte to go, and while it was busy, it did take a while for my order to come out. After waiting 10 minutes or so and noticing the staff chatting and cleaning, I asked about my drink and the person who took my order looked into it and apparently the barista didn't see my order. He quickly apologized, made my drink and gave me a coupon for a future free one, which I appreciated. I enjoyed the coffee, vibe, customer service, and definitely look forward to coming back. read more

Second time here and I'm reminded why this place got me to come back....slight small but very cozy. I had the matcha latte last time, don't remember how good it was but I don't remember it not being good. This time around I came back again to have another quiet study time. Ordered the waffle sandwich. Delicious, moist and fluffy. Love the texture of the corn meal. I missed the weekend waffle bar which ends at 1. The two barista were really nice and friendly. I wanted my waffle sandwich to be an actual waffle cause they usually panini it. The barista didn't mind my customize order at all. Definitely will come here again for another study sess. Haven't been to too many Columbia city cafe but I don't mind to just sticking to this one! read more

Empire Roasters & Records - Waffle Sandwich, $10, asked mine to be opened up and not panini-ed - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Strong coffee and good food. Independently owned. Southside... the hood... "revitalized" Columbia City in Rainier Valley. Nice place to sit down and have coffee while watching tv or working on your laptop. Owners Tino and Ian provide photastic service and the prices are good compared to other coffee joints in the area. The garage door in the back opens up on hot Summer days! Only complaint might be that the outlet for plugging in my laptop is awkwardly located underneah the seats. Just try not to bump your head on the table or chairs and you're good! A good mix of people come here. Power to the people, power to strong coffee! read more

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