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    Portage Bay Cafe

    3.9 (3k reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 1:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    PORTAGE BAY CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Portage Bay Cafe

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    French Toast
    Shrenik P.

    this included a trip to the breakfast bar - where i was able to load up with butter, whipped cream, strawberries, and a couple other fruits also came with a cup of syrup Whew - so this was a sugary rush. I don't know if I've ever consumed so much sugar in as short of a time period as I did here On each piece (that already came with powdered sugar) I spread whipped cream, poured syrup, and ate with butter Being french toast itself has some strong built in advantages - so I can really only compare this against other french toast So while I do wish there was something more solid with this meal - I did know what I was ordering going in The portion size was really good - there were three pretty decent-sized pieces of bread Each piece had an interior that was nice and fluffy but a bit too airy for me - I would've prefered a more solid interior of the bread Eating the toast didn't feel like you were eating something with weight behind it - it felt light - even though the three slices added up to make you full Going off that, the outside of the bread was pretty soft as well - I would've liked it to be more crispy As for the toppings - I thought the syrup was quite good - it complemented the top side of the bread in a nice way Similarly, the whipped cream added a pretty good flavor to the top. It also helped a good amount with the strawberries The butter I'm not sure on. It was hard to spread given the softness of the toast - and I could see that any attempt to spread it would result in the toast breaking apart. Eventually I decided to break off small pieces of butter and eat them at the same time as my toast bite.

    Bananas Foster French Toast
    Megan S.

    Super cute cafe with delicious food and great lighting. Our server was very friendly. The bananas foster french toast was so good and I'm a huge fan of the whipped cream/fruit bar!

    Breakfast Sandwich
    Kay C.

    Wow! Visiting from out of town and went to Portage Bay Cafe on Easter Sunday. Thankfully we had 10:30am reservation because the place was packed and had a waiting list. The restaurant is bigger than expected as it had three dining areas. The food was exceptional! Beyond exceptional! From the first to last bite, we kept exclaiming how good everything tasted. We ordered the carnitas Benedict (which came with fruit on side), breakfast sandwich (which also came with fruit on side) and mushroom omelette. We can tell why this place is so popular.

    Catered plate of all the things breakfast
    Leilani Q.

    This is a review for their catering. My work had breakfast catered and it was really good! Meats: crispy bacon and tasty sausage, what more could you ask for Carbs: pancakes were a little dense and the French toast didn't super taste like much, so I covered everything with syrup, whipped cream, fruits, and granola and that was really good altogether Yogurt: the yogurt was thick, sweet, and yummy! With added fruits, granola, almonds, and coconut it was super filling

    group orange juice mimosa fun for a birthday brunch
    Lynn M.

    Always my favorite Seattle brunch chain. I value the " Eat like you give a damn" motto. very local and organically sourced ingredients, great job team! The coffe is strong, I add a little water. They have many options for large group mimosa options and Aprils highlight is hibiscus. I always get great service and it is a fun busy hustle and bustle vibe for chill Seattlites. I love taking out of town guests there to awww them with the berry bar. I love taking my grandog on nice days to sit outside

    French Toast (veg) after berry bar
    Linda M.

    Great bfast!! I LOVE their idea of the berry bar!! Such good French toast!!! I was craving an American bfast and this place had exactly that. I rarely eat French toast but man it hit só hard. Really cute local place filled with university students. I would have loved to have this next to my uni lol. Great service as well. Thanks!

    Laura M.

    My go to breakfast spot in the University District. I love this place because it's close walk from my hotel. The service is great and they never disappoint. Note you can make reservations we went game day and noticed reserved tables that is the reason we ate outside thankfully they had one table left.

    French Toast
    Ailun H.

    My friend has been to Portage Bay Cafe a couple times because he loves taking a trip to the berry bar -- which, you can only do if you order something that comes with waffles or pancakes. Three of us stopped by for brunch this past Saturday and it was pretty busy. RANCHER'S BREAKFAST - 24.75 This is a good option if you can't decide between sweet or savory. Also, you can take a trip to the berry bar. My scrambled eggs were a bit over-cooked and the chicken sausage was OK and nothing special. The fresh fruit option was nice! However, the french toast was my favorite part. I topped it with a bunch of raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries from the berry bar -- as much as I could reasonably fit on my plate without embarrassing myself. I enjoyed how fluffy the french toast was, and the fresh berries really enhanced it. Overall, food tasted just OK, but it's the quantity and berry bar that makes the experience worth it. If I come back, I'd definitely skip the savory options and go straight for one of their french toasts.

    vegan farmer's hash bowl
    Cynthia W.

    Nice open space. Breakfast is always delicious. Coffee is strong and good. Wait staff and chefs are all super professional.

    Bananas Foster French Toast (veg)
    Sahithi Y.

    Nice place to go for brunch with a smaller group once it gets past 4 people per table it can start getting a bit crowded. Food has gone a bit down in terms of quality over the years but I still enjoy it. My favorites are the banana fosters French toast and the herb and roasted potatoes as a side. I like their fruits and nuts bar for the sweet brunch dishes.

    Prosciutto and Asparagus Benedict  Prosciutto & Asparagus Benedict Prosciutto & Asparagus Benedict

    REDEMPTION for the PORTAGE BAY CAFE! My family returned to the Portage Bay Cafe due to Hobson's Choice. Thankfully, the service has improved considerably and the staff have improved their skills significantly. Today the Prosciutto and Asparagus Benedict was AMAZING! The DOUBLE SMASHED BURGER however, did not meet the written description... at best, so-so. Am glad to see the improvements over our last experience and will continue to check the PORTAGE BAY CAFR. WATCH THIS SPACE

    Buddha Bowl (veg)
    Cari L.

    Great spot for brunch near UW! Best part is the efficient service and friendly staff. The food is good quality but quite expensive. The Buddha bowl was chock full of vegetables dressed in a bright and refreshing lemon tahini dressing. Loved that it wasn't over-dressed and the egg was cooked perfectly per specification (over medium). We also ordered a farmer's scramble with added brisket for $3.50 (not pictured). This was a bit of a bummer given that it only came with a sad 1-2 pieces of brisket. However, there was a surprisingly diverse assortment of roasted vegetables including Brussels sprouts and purple sweet potatoes, which made up for it a little. Overall this place probably isn't the best brunch in the city, but it's a solid choice if near UW.

    Berry bar
    Charlie T.

    This is a cool brunch spot that is big and open. They have a good variety of items to choose from, including a berry bar, where you can load your own toppings for your pancakes or French toast. I may have to try that next time. For this visit, I ordered the special - Uli's spicy scramble, which included, eggs, uli's sausage, organic bell peppers and jalepenos, caramelized onions, queso con salsa, roasted potatoes and tortillas. I also ordered a side of their gravy. The scramble was good and better when I added the gravy to it.

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    1 month ago

    Excellent food and service. A big plus is off-street parking. The waffles are to die for. The make Belgian waffles look small.

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    Portage Bay Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Portage Bay Cafe

    Are nice dogs allowed on the patio?

    Yes, at Ravenna location

    Do you have a vaccine requirement?

    Not at this time

    Is there outdoor seating?

    There's a back patio area with umbrellas and cute decor that you can be seated at!

    What is the parking situation here?

    Garage and metered parking. Come early for less hassle on parking and waiting. Enjoy your dining experience. Its always a pleasure for us when in Seattle on business.

    Are reservations required?

    No, but you can make them via phone or online.

    Is this place dog friendly?

    Yes, we are dog friendly

    View All 8 Questions

    Caffe Ladro - Ravenna

    Caffe Ladro - Ravenna

    3.7
    (38 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    I stopped in to get a gift card and a mocha. The staff here are friendly and very customer service…read moreoriented. I enjoyed my mocha and the gluten free almond cranberry cake, which was moist and flavorful. Another plus is they use a dark chocolate for their mochas, so it's not super sweet.

    Caffe Ladro in Ravenna is a cozy, pretty simple spot for a quick coffee. I visited on a Monday…read moremorning around 11am, so it was super quiet with just two people and one barista working. The café has around 20 seats, including a mini couch, a table in the middle, and a few seats by the window. It's the type of place where you might end up sitting right next to someone, so be prepared to make a new friend! The vibe was definitely more for people who need a quick place to work and not for big groups and loud conversations. Parking on the side street that it's on is limited, but I was able to find a spot easily around the corner since there's free 2-hour parking in the neighborhood. You'll need to ask for a key to use the bathroom after you order. They sell coffee beans and a selection of merchandise, along with a small range of pastries like muffins, cookies, and quiche. You order your drinks, and then you have the option to customize them with syrups and drizzles. The ordering process was quick and simple. I had an old gift card to use, and they had to transfer the balance to a new system, which is now linked to my phone number. Overall, it's a good spot if you're looking for a quiet coffee break, but it's not exactly the most exciting place to linger for long. Lastly, I ordered a latte with a white peach flavor. Which was subtle. Didn't really stand out like I hoped. Went with something different because why not! I also had their quiche which had veggies and goat cheese and that was magnificent. Highly recommended. Food ranges from 5-8 dollars and lattes range around 6 dollars. I had the jumbo which is 20oz.

    Photos
    Caffe Ladro - Ravenna
    (7/16/26)
    (7/16/26)
    Caffe Ladro - Ravenna

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    Retreat

    Retreat

    3.7
    (539 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Retreat is my go-to place in Green Lake anytime I want to meet up with someone for coffee…read more My go-to beverage is the Strawberry Fields smoothie, which is an actual smoothie they prepare with actual healthy things (as opposed to ice, fruit-flavored syrup, and maybe a few frozen strawberries). I love this place because the service is always incredibly friendly, the energy and vibes are always upbeat (so many individuals here just knocking out work on their laptops while lots of other clusters of people seem to use this as a nice, roomy spot to grab coffee and catch up). And it's a fantastic breakfast option for any group that has diverse dietary needs. I've come here with a group that includes dairy and gluten allergies, medically restricted diets, and picky eaters. Between the breakfast bowl options, the smoothies, and the pastries, everyone leaves happy!! One note: if you plan to swing by on a weekend morning, you may have a little wait as the line is often out the door. I'd say more often than not, the wait is worth it.

    Retreat is a Greenlake staple, always busy and easily accessible after a walk around the lake. This…read morewas my first time stopping in for dinner, a friend and I arrived around 7:00pm after our walk. We waited about 5 minutes before we were noticed at the counter by a staff member, and though the service was slow overall, the staff were very kind. We ordered the BLT and chicken and greens salad. Both were tasty, but felt a bit overpriced considering this is a counter-service restaurant. The food was nothing special. I don't think the menu board had prices either, which felt a bit strange. I had an "iced" mango black tea which was pre-made and cost $5-- not even poured over ice! The seating is open and bright, especially on a warm July evening. Overall, this is not the best spot for dinner in my opinion. Sure, it's convenient, but next time I'll choose Retreat for a coffee in the morning instead and check out somewhere new for dinner.

    Photos
    Workspace area
    Workspace area
    Chicken Skewers with tabouleh, pita and rice
    Chicken Skewers with tabouleh, pita and rice
    Crown of roses ($5.50)  IG: @ohmyono

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    Crown of roses ($5.50) IG: @ohmyono
    Portage Bay Cafe - 65th

    Portage Bay Cafe - 65th

    3.8
    (608 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    This is the third Portage Bay I've been to, and I have to say, I enjoyed this one the best. Great…read morefood and really helpful and supportive staff. I had their chicken sandwich with a side of potatoes. The sandwich, loaded with substantial pieces of chicken, almost spilling out of the sandwich, and healthy lengths of bacon. It was so much, I couldn't eat it all, so took half home. It heated up surprisingly well for lunch the next day. My girlfriend got the Mushroom Benedict (a vegetarian option on the menu), and loved it! So much so she finished of every last bite! Our server Melissa was amazing! Competent, but equally a good conversationalist, having done a lot in her life despite her youth It can be a little loud and boisterous in the place--the acoustics aren't stellar-- but still work the good food.

    Saturday brunch. We had our dog so requested to sit on the patio. We waited about ten minutes and…read morethey allowed our dog to be at the table with us...which surprised me. We were at our table for about 15 minutes before a server approached us. I had a cup of coffee ($4.50!!??) and the BLT with avocado. My companion had the breakfast sandwich and a canned cold-brew. The sandwiches were decent but nothing particularly special. The bread was good and the sandwich was really big- I only ate half and took the rest home. The potatoes had clearly been sitting on a warming table or under lights for awhile. They were well prepared, and seasoned, but...leathery. Not fresh. Which, at the price point, was a little disappointing. I recognize I'm being picky but: With tip (19% default) we spent $65. For two sandwiches and two coffees. I feel like that's a lot of money and deserves sides that are made to order. The place is nice and the servers were super friendly.

    Photos
    Busy Sunday
    Busy Sunday
    French Toast (veg) (with toppings from the breakfast bar!)
    French Toast (veg) (with toppings from the breakfast bar!)
    Lemonade with berry purée

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    Lemonade with berry purée
    Ole Cafe

    Ole Cafe

    4.8
    (24 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    I was excited to come here and enjoy some simple tapas and speak Spanish with my family. I love…read morethe concept, and the intent. The service was also great, considering there were many people and only one server. The coffee was good and people were all making an effort to speak Spanish, which I very much appreciated. The tortilla de patata, was also fine. That was the good. Overall, the food, as simple as it was, was really, really dissapointing. First, they rely exclusively on a microwave and a toaster oven. This should probably mean they serve only a few premade pastries and maybe come fiambres and call it a day. But I did not realize this when I ordered churros con chocolate for the whole family. Instead of having freshly fried churros - the only way to serve these, and the only way you will ever have them in any cafeteria in Spain - they preheated some pre-baked abominations along with a schmear of cold fudge sauce in a saucer. For a place so infatuated with Spain to serve something so wholly inauthentic really surprised me. Is it that hard to make chocolate a la taza? Is it that hard to have a frier and serve up some fresh churros? That's what we thought we were getting.... The ensaladilla was also a poor imitation of a Spanish classic, with mostly mayo, hardly any tuna, and punctuated with a smattering of pale peas. Even the pan con tomate, jamón y queso was bad. I confess that I've never understood the Catalan tendency to grate tomato on bread for these montaditos, but Ole doesn't even do that. Eschewing this easy opportunity to use a fresh ingredient, they squeeze some cold tomato sauce on a slice of toast instead. Almost as bad, the jamon serrano they use is cold and presliced (meaning that the salt is brought to the surface of the meat), instead of room temperature like jamon needs to be, rendering it dry and hard instead of warm and tender. In short, Ole cuts corners at every turn, relying on premade dishes for nearly everything, a decidedly un Spanish approach to food. Seattle desperately needs an authentic little Spanish cafeteria where folks can get good, simple freshly made tapas made with love. This place doesn't even try. With all that being said, if you want a good coffee and to be surrounded by people who love the language, Ole offers this. And that's pretty good too..

    Little cafe with a novel concept. This is a 100% Spanish language business. Step inside and…read moreyou're teleported half way across the world into a little Spanish bar. You hear and read only Spanish, and if you're well versed in the language, you will spot everywhere the signs of Castilian Spanish from Spain. Watching people struggle a little bit ordering drinks and tapas brought back similar memories from travels to Spain with one big difference. Here, the owner is also a Spanish teacher (there was a class in session in the back room while I was there), so she helps you through the experience without breaking the spell by resorting to English. It wouldn't be fair to comment on the food barely 24 hours after opening. We'll see how that develops. Their intention is to provide a rotating selection of Spanish tapas. They have no kitchen, but neither do many Spanish bars. The beauty of classic Spanish tapas (jamón, queso, boquerones, pan, aceitunas, etc.) is they don't require cooking. The key is quality ingredients and as they say in Spain, "poca floritura." Olé café is the perfect remedy for Spanish nostalgia. As I stepped outside and returned to Seattle, USA, I marveled at how small our world has become.

    Photos
    Ole Cafe
    A bonbon. YUMMY
    A bonbon. YUMMY
    The menu. If you don't speak Spanish just point at what you want or pull out your translator.

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    The menu. If you don't speak Spanish just point at what you want or pull out your translator.

    Portage Bay Cafe - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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