lets start with food Cuban Tofu Panini - didnt seem to have been in a paining Press, was cold, wasn't good the skirt steak sandwich - cold steak.... didnt like it at all cooked veggies - surprisingly delicious Green smoothie was solid the restaurant was cute enough but the server wasn't serving. not a great attitude. read more

Taproot Cafe & Bar - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Wow, really pleasantly surprised that this fish sandwich was so freaking delicious! This is better than bar food. I heard they make great drinks, but my drink was just OK. My husband ordered the Reuben and the meat was delicious there could've been more of it not going to complain. The service was quick. It's a no-frills no nonsense sort of place. And I would definitely go back for the fish sandwich again. read more

Taproot Cafe & Bar - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The food was quite good and the service was excellent! This place seems to be kind of a neighborhood spot with lots of regulars, which was kind of cool. There was little fall decor on all the tables and it felt pretty homey. I appreciated that they have several vegetarian items on the menu. Not so many vegan options for food but lots of great smoothies and juices! read more

Taproot Cafe & Bar - Kale Caesar Salad Cuban Tofu Panini and Green Gift - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Seattle, Washington

First of all, downtown Columbia City is so frickin' cute! We were on a waitlist for another brunch place, but were hangry so we walked into Taproot. This unassuming cafe had a full bar and the food ended up being better than our original brunch choice. The person working the counter was so kind. We had our three-year-old there hamming it up for her, and she played with her and interacted nicely with our daughter. Will definitely be back! read more

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The menu is delicious, thoughtful and worth exploring. Drinks and n/a selections are awesome. Everyone loved their sandwiches, salads and beverages. The vibe is as great as the service. Great music and a fun neighborhood-joint presence. My only mistake was not coming here sooner. read more

This place caught me by surprise. I sent folks a list of restaurants in the area, and this was the choice. Taproot Cafe is conveniently located just 10 mins from the link station in a good restaurant hub. Like most places in the area, the venue is not the biggest, but they accommodated in-door and out-door patrons. The food prices were pretty standard for a local source restaurant. I had the eggplant parm, which was fantastic. We also got the roasted veggies, which were really flavorful but could have used a little more char or grill. The ciabatta was a good ap and also went well with the parm. We also got one of the salads, which I didn't taste because my dish was so filling. The server/bartender was fast and friendly and we were allowed to transition quickly to a beautiful evening walk. I'll definitely be going back again. read more

Love this local spot. The food is always amazing, generous portions, and staff are super helpful. Highly recommend.

The food here is amazing!!! Yesterday I had the blackened halibut sandwich with a side kale Caesar. Everything was delicious. The cook on the fish was perfect. Fresh ingredients. Everything is well seasoned. It was so good, I came back today and got the ribeye steak sandwich. OMFG!!! Banger for sure. Had the arugula salad with that one and it paired so well. The crispness of the apples and the light vinaigrette dressing was the perfect counterpoint to the rich steak sandwich. The staff were super friendly and the atmosphere was nice and welcoming. I'm definitely coming back for more. See you guys tomorrow! read more

Taproot Cafe & Bar - Blackened halibut sandwich with kale Cesar salad. - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Great food; I think they make the best breakfast sandwich in the city, bar none, though their other eats are tasty too. They've also got a great selection of tasty smoothies; it's a toss up whether the Prince Vita or Peanut Butter Cup is better, but you can't go wrong with either. They also make some pretty excellent cocktails, though most of the time I'm only there for brunch, so their Bloody Mary (pretty thick, good spiciness, nicely balanced flavors) is the only one I typically go for. It's frankly astounding to me that I'll often see people waiting in line to get into the serviceable, but definitely less delicious Geraldine's, when Taproot is just half a block down. Lastly, the owner/proprietor Tiana is just sunshine personified, super friendly and fun, who always makes us feel welcome whenever we swing by. All-in-all an absolute gem of a spot, highly recommend. read more

Amazing juices and the wild arungla salad is my favorite very cute and chic atmosphere with cozy vibes as well

I agree with SusieCreamCheese that I mostly want to keep this hidden gem to myself, but to be honest I am not good at keeping secrets. I have been here on multiple occasions for drinks because their cocktails are legit. But today we unlocked a new addiction. They do not play around with their food menu. Not only are the ingredients top-notch, but the bread might be just as good as Bakery Nouveau. Maybe that's where they get their bread? We will be back to try every sandwich/salad! Staff was great, as always. Very knowledgeable and conversational. One reason you shouldn't come here is because I want to get a table right away. But really you should come here because it's sooo good! read more

Taproot Cafe & Bar - Spicy Italian. - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Seattle, Washington

What a cute place! Staff is super friendly, amazing Bloody Mary, and delicious smoothies. The Tropi-Fusion is a fantastic way to kick off your day. Will be back! read more

The food was so so good. My friend and I shared plates so we could try more items. It was all great. We will be back.

I had visited often for lunch, but loved my first time in for dinner! The food was AMAZING, delightful cocktails, and it was the perfect level of dark and cozy for vibes. Appreciated everyone working the bar - friendly and great recommendations. read more

I would say Taproot is a solid neighborhood cafe. Their salads, soups, and sandwiches are pretty decent and I like their green juice/smoothie. They're also one of the few places that are open for lunch on a weekday in Columbia City! You can generally walk in and get seated without a wait. I've heard mixed things about the service, but it's generally been fine the few times I've gone. It can be a little slow/you have to catch their attention, but I don't mind. read more

Amazing Every Time!!!! The drinks are made with love and the food is ALWAYS delicious. I usually go around late lunch / early dinner time for appetizers or a meal with a cocktail or two. Staff is the sweetest and the atmosphere is always a vibe. I usually end up stuffing my face before remembering to take a picture . NOTHING was left behind, literally good to the last drop. Also, the smoothies!!! Get a smoothie!!!! read more

Taproot Cafe & Bar - COFFEE CRUSTED STRIP STEAK* NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER & the Spicy Mezcal Paloma - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cocktail good Service meh Food overpriced/underportioned Dogs NOT ALLOWED (they lyin) read more

We went here on seafair weekend and the owner/bartender needs some training when it comes to the customer service industry. We have no issue with his decision, but rather the way he went about it. Poor customer service. There was about a group of 7 of us and we pushed together two tables to sit (bars suggestion). Please note, the place was half empty. There's a large booth open right in front of us. 4 of us ordered something, and the remaining 3 were seated with water. We were chatting, I was talking about waiting to eat at the seafair (I wanted a lobster roll, perhaps chatting about this triggered the man) and then we were just busy on our phones or talking. The bartender comes up to us and tells us that this wasn't a park and he was running a business (condescending rather than polite, we aren't a bunch of children). It took me a minute to register his grumpy aged face was kicking us out but he was hiding in the back by then, and all he did was create an uncomfortable atmosphere at the table. Again, this place is half empty. the salads and menu are probably why, my friend ordered the salad and it looked pathetic for $16 but you know what? we can wait outside. We have no issue with that! He never told us we were being too loud, or talking too much or anything. We had no problem leaving (he is running a business, after all), but did us leaving fill in those chairs that were empty? it's with our table, we just wanted to sit with our friends. Bad vibes. He could've simply said the tables were reserved for paying patrons only, kindness doesn't hurt. Surprisingly enough, we were still hungry after seafair and walked by the establishment again. If the place had half decent food or good customer service we could have returned. Rude service and over-priced food is NOT worth it. Why frequent an establishment that brings bad vibes from the owner himself? Plenty of nicer places nearby like the tex-mex spot or something... at least they smile at you. read more

Came in with a friend for a quick brunch at Taproot and we had a WONDERFUL time. Our server was extremely nice and we had a great chat with her. Although we came on a Sunday morning, we were able to get seated immediately. My friend and I decided on the Mushroom Ravioli and asked to split it - and our food came on two plates, very thoughtful :) The food itself was pretty great, I loved the ravioli and the parmesan crisps that came on the side. If I were to come back for another meal I'd definitely like to try something else, though. Overall, great service and great food. read more

Taproot Cafe & Bar - Ravioli - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Seattle, Washington

First time at Taproot. We came because we looked at the website, wanted sandwiches and the restaurant looked handsome. Imagine my surprise when we walked up and saw an unkempt front patio area, massive paint chipping on the dark teal walls where the chairs hit, sticky-need-to-be refinished tables, and a floor that's seen better days. A simple chair rail along the wall will take care of that paint problem. It's also quite dark and unwelcoming in there. Maybe a brighter wall color? Your waiter/bartender is supposed to take care of everyone. He seemed nice, but terribly sad. Also did not make our lunch very enjoyable. I wanted to share some of my Prozac with him. My BLT was super. Fries would have been a nice option for the price. My husband's fish sandwich was okay. That's all folks! read more

Fantastic place with even friendlier staff! One of the best coffee shops and bars in the neighborhood!

Roast beef sandwich was really good. Veg sandwich with mushroom was pretty good too. Nice people.

The cuban panino sandwich is my new favorite! Really nice dark, evening atmosphere. Casual, neighborhood spot. Service is a bit uneven but totally fine if you don't let it get to you. Amazing list of cocktails. Really great apple tart dessert. Could Be Better: 1-2 more vegan options and pls implement a noise reduction strategy. (!!) read more

our family has a get together and the original restaurant we were going to go to wasn't kid friendly, so we ended up walking into the taproot cafe and bar with 20 people and the gentlemen welcomed us in at the door and got us all comfy. the food was delicious (I got the coffee steak sandwich which 10/10 would recommend) and service was friendly and quick. thank you for accommodating such a large party read more

***Responding to the owner's response to my original review*** The "options presented for accommodation", which originally were to sit in the 85 degree sun with our toddler while there is a wide open four top in the shade in an almost empty restaurant, or to sit in the corner near the door that would not have been comfortable for us while there was an abundance of other seating available read "we don't want you here". When we got that message, we promptly left. Reading through your reviews, it seems like we are not the first family that was treated like this at your restaurant. Original review: Just tried to come here with my wife and sleeping toddler after seafair on Sunday afternoon. The entire restaurant was empty except for one indoor table. We wanted to keep our toddler in the stroller since he was sleeping, so being a party of three we asked to sit outside at a four top in the shade. The server replied that we would have to take a two-top in the Sun because they wanted to reserve the four top for four adults. It's 85 degrees outside and there's no one else dining at your restaurant - you want us to park our stroller in the sun?? We then gave in and said that we would wake him up so we could sit inside, and asked to sit at the booth as he tends to behave better in booths. The server then replied that they didn't allow kids in the booth. At that point, we gave up, realized that we were not welcome at the restaurant and left. As we were leaving, the server told us that while they were trying to be family friendly, that they were "heading in the direction of being 21+." This is the most unwelcome we've felt at a restaurant in seattle (and we eat out A LOT), especially considering that the place was empty. Yelp says this place is good for kids - that's a joke. If you don't want to accommodate families - just say NO KIDS ALLOWED. read more

I was excited to try this place and completely ignored the bad reviews-you know you're can't make everyone happy...sadly, I was incredibly disappointed. I had the curry chicken salad and I honestly can't get over how they weren't too embarrassed to serve that to me. It was the most basic of basic, DRY, flavorless salads I have ever taken a bite of. It was bad, honestly. You think a salad can't be THAT bad. But it was. Chopped carrots, like what? Like hard, chopped carrots, not shredded. Large pieces of celery. They place the salad dressing and it was dry (which I don't like that much dressing, so that was odd). It was just so dry & flavorless. You couldn't do worse if you tried. I get it, it's a sandwich shop and my BF sandwich was good, but don't add food to the menu if it's that bad and stick to what you know! read more

I went back to Taproot. It was great, as usual. Here's what I like: 1. The food is very good - consistently 2. The prices are reasonable 3. It seems to be a local gem. I see regulars, repeat customers 4. It's intimate and cosy dining. If you sit at the bar, other customers usually are friendly and talk. 5. Speaking of the bar, the bartenders are knowledgeable about both liquors and wines. I'm a local. Happy to have this in my backyard! read more

What a delightful spot! Service was quick and friendly, love the space and the bar indoors. Tried the blackened halibut sandwich and it was delicious - the bread, the slaw, the crunchy pickles, everything worked so well together. Highly recommend. Also tried the jumbo shrimp - packed with flavor. It's accompanied by a small piece of toast that just soaks in the delicious jus, so I wish they had atleast one more it came with, but all in all, very good as well. We'll be back to try out more sandwiches and the fabulous sounding cocktails! read more

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Not an extensive menu, but what they do is excellent. I'm glad they don't have an extensive menu where you're going to have some mediocre dishes. This is where I take friends and family in Columbia City. Amazing halibut on night menu. Also love their coffee rubbed steak sandwich. Anthony and Tiana run it and are friendly and accommodating. Outdoor seating available in good weather. Tiana makes all drinks from scratch, not with mixes. Part of me wants to keep this place secret. Part of me wants to give them the credit they richly deserve. read more

The drinks were great, the food was pretty good. (The food would have been better on better plates - not the tiny clear cafe plates they were served on .... but now I'm just being picky) The staff was nice enough, although we went in specifically to sit at a booth. It was early in the evening so the place was pretty empty- we were told no to our booth request, that we would need to sit at a two top table. No biggie, we rolled with it - I did however notice that the restaurant did not fill up while we ate our meal and as we left there was a couple (of 2) eating at one of the booths. Which felt a bit like maybe it was random who gets told 'yes' to the request to sit at a booth and who is told 'no go sit over there' ... it's better to let people sit where they want read more

Our first time here and already enjoying the atmosphere with Neo soul music playing. We ordered us a kale caesar, with our Chili Mango Margarita and knobs creak with their homemade ginger limeaid. To end it. Our server- was the most pleasant server we could ask for, very energetic and wanting us to come back again soon. read more

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Always great food, good service, and just a happy place to be. Hidden gem in my opinion.

I really don't want too many people to discover this place, but do want my neighbors to know how great the food is - some of the best in Seattle. Tonight I had an heirloom tomato salad with radishes, baby arugula, goat cheese, and an amazing dressing to start. Next up, the shrimp with whipped potatoes. But it's not just shrimp and whipped potatoes, it's heaven in a bowl- it's spicy (not too spicy) with a touch of heat (just a hint, but they could add more, if you like). The lemon drops are perfectly balanced. The music is fun, retro rock (and not so loud that you can't have a conversation across the table). PS The tuna melt is spectacular, too. Best I've ever had. read more

This place is so good! At least for the sandwiches which we only tried. The flavors were five stars, especially because of the way they marinate/ season their meats. If you're not sure what to try and don't have any dietary specifics, the beef sandwich was exceptionally great. read more

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Taproots is a small, chill spot for delicious cocktails in Columbia City. Their roast beef and coffee rubbed steak sandwiches are also soo delicious. So glad we finally tried this little gem. read more

Great Sammy's, drinks and service. It's the perfect hidden gem. Got the Italian sammy and it was packed with meat, as it should be.

We visited Tap Root with our foreign exchange student from South Africa. Her ID was denied without explanation siting management rules regarding foreign identification. When she asked why given a foreign ID is a legal document she was told, "I'm just following the rules." We would have loved to visit this location regularly and are now unable. I find this policy xenophobic and rude. read more

I love Geraldine's and I rated it 5 stars, it's awesome, but in my humble opinion the sandwiches at taproot are better and it's not even close. read more

Unfortunately the tofu was not cooked, at all :( it was completely raw like they had taken it straight from the container and put it on the sandwich after perhaps brushing a vinaigrette over it :( I couldn't stomach to eat it. I scraped it off and ate the bread with some of the rest of the ingredients and I could see how the sandwich could really have potential, the bread, cabbage and aioli were good. Please please cook the tofu :( even a couple minutes on each side on a skillet would have been at least edible. Cold raw tofu, especially with out the slightest hint of marination, is not something vegetarians are in the business of eating :( read more

I enjoy coming to this place when I am looking for a lighter, healthier meal. You know, when you just want something like a salad or sandwich, but are too lazy to make it yourself and just want to be out of the house anyway. There is indoor and outdoor seating with table service and a bar with a couple of seats. You can get coffee or some boozy drinks here. I have always had really good service here, everybody is friendly and lively and take good care of you. The food is good. I really like their tuna sandwich, it's pretty much my go-to at this point. read more