I had some time to kill in Ballard, so I brought along a book and figured I'd grab some coffee, do some people watching, and read. This was the first coffee shop I came upon, and I remember seeing good things, so I popped in. The coffee was good, but not really my favorite. But, the atmosphere was great. Lots of people sitting around reading, working on their laptops, catching up with friends. There was another little room for families with kids. Definitely a great neighborhood spot, and exactly what a local coffee shop should be. I hung out here for a couple hours, and wasn't bothered at all. I enjoyed my cup of coffee and ginger snap cookie well enough, and especially like that they ask you if you want your coffee for here or to go, and will give you your coffee in a mug, without asking. I definitely prefer my coffee in a mug, and so many places I will ask for it, and not get it, so I really appreciated that. I am rarely in Ballard, sadly, but if I had some free time, or was meeting a friend, I would definitely come here again. read more

It's ok. I got drip coffee and only took a few sips. Not my favorite and wasn't worth the price.

Finally I had the pleasure of stopping in today! Very friendly and thoughtful smiling employees. Great coffee. It is not Tully's anymore. It has its own rugged but nice flavor and excellent coffee. Kudos. read more

I love this place. The staff are so knowledgeable and always ready with a stellar recommendation. They have never done me dirty! (Unless I order a dirty chai lol ;) The girl (I think her name was April? Aria? Started with an A and had a R in it) that helped me was so sweet and she was really patient when I had a million questions about the different ways to brew coffee. Love this place! Just be prepared to wait if you go on a Sunday :)) read more

I'm not quite sure what it is about this place; the concrete floors, the spacious and roughly decorated interior, the playful quotes on the whiteboard, the kids corner, or the location overlooking a bustling corner of Ballard. As coffee shops go, this place makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Walk in to a puppy on a leash, a great selection of locally roasted beans, and step up to a counter where there are friendly and attractive baristas ready to make your morning a bit happier. When you order you realize this place has such a huge selection that for a novice it is hard to pin down what you want but its probably even worse for a coffee-nut as you can get your favorite bean brewed any way you'd like (many of which I've never heard of). I tend to opt for a non-fat latte with splenda which is prepared relatively quickly and arrives with a nice bit of milk art on top. The first sip is a mixture of thick, creamy goodness with a touch of sweetness and a hint of spice-like flavors. You can look out the window at the crowds walking by and see the Scandinavian flags flying in the Ballard square across the way. Sit in the kids corner to get your dose of youthly cuteness around you as parents read to their children or play board games. Spend some time on your laptop checking emails at the counters if needed. When you're done, you step out of the coffee house surrounded by so many other wonderful things to do in Ballard too. As a transplant, when I think of Seattle coffee house this is exactly what I would hope for. read more

Comparing the next door cafe, this place is more warm with more people there. Had to wait for the available seats:) The coffee is ok but not too impressive. The choice of pastries is vey limited. Do not know why this place attracts so many people there, maybe becauseit is dog friendly? read more

This place ties for my favorite coffee shop in town. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere is good. There are a lot of options for places to work. Lots of power plugs. Coffee is good. read more

Victrola Coffee Roasters - Mocha! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

High quality coffee is what to expect from Ballard Coffee Works. As with anything, it makes sense that when employees take pride in the coffee they are serving, it might take a little bit longer than the neighboring shop... Take that minute to remind yourself to enjoy your coffee. As for the kids area, I haven't seen it too busy yet, but seems like a novel idea. I know a few of my old co-workers used to rave about a coffee shop in Mill Creek that had a dedicated kids area, except I think it was penned(Moms like being able to relax without being leashed too...). I anticipate that the service will become quicker as being new wears off, I just hope that they maintain their pride in coffee. read more

Victrola Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is a great coffee spot, especially during quieter hours. Lovely place for an evening coffee date. I'm a big mocha person and this place makes the best mocha I've ever had. Love the atmosphere, comfy seating, and coffee bean/history display. If you don't like crowds and waiting in line, don't go on a Sunday during Ballard Farmer's Market hours! Pretty much any other time on any other day of the week is just fine. Service is usually nice. Sometimes I've had odd interactions with distracted baristas, but that is not a big deal to me. For some people it is. read more

I can't think of another neighborhood filled to the brim with awesome coffee places (ok maybe Cap Hill) in a city known for it's java. Before Ballard Coffee Works even opened up (across the street from Starfucks, btw), we had 8 in a few block radius, all amazing and delish and it was very #firstworldproblems of me to have to choose which place to try each morning. I could do a Coffee in Ballard list if I was that organized and cared that much. My Dunkin Donut list and Steak Tartare list will have to thrill the masses for now. Steak tartare is so damn good...I wonder what cut they grind up.. Oh look a bird... ....Coffee helps me stay focused and concentrate on doing important things on the computer and talking to important people during what I call my profession, and BCW is a pretty great place to help me out with this. Constantly packed with people on their 'puters fueled with toddys and foamy lattes, it's also a awesome location in Ballard that can clearly stand their ground in the mecca of coffee shops. I tried their cold-brewed toddy today. I'm pretty sure I heard colors. They're real serious about the kinds of beans they roast and where it's from. I just tasted it and yelled alone in my office "HOLY #&*% THIS SHIZ STRONG" and not bitter so that's great enough for me. read more

Had to update because I'm still such a fan of Ballard Coffee Works. My brorista (that's the term I've coined for him) Andrew and now my newly-minted brorista Scott make me my "special" chocolate chaider, which is a combo hot chocolate, apple cider, and chai hot drink. It sounds strange, but it is delicious! The folks at BCW are always super chill and very friendly, and completely accommodating. I go sometimes for no other reason than to sit at the bar and sip my chocolate chaider and chat it up with the folks there, but it's equally awesome for a impromptu coffee meeting, a long day of practicing interview questions or studying, or whatever else you can dream up. What are you doing still reading this--go get a cup of whatever delicious hot liquid (or cold, they also serve beer) you prefer at Ballard Coffee Works! Oh, also, they sell these Lemon Poppyseed cake donuts that are SO GOOD you will be tempted to stuff them in your face all at once. read more

This place EXCEEDED my expectations. I've been meaning to come here for probably 2 years, and last night I finally made it happen. I came to get a few things done for school, so I had my laptop. It was around dinner time on a Saturday night. Ballard was hopping (per usual). I came in not wanting any coffee (wayyy too late for me) and I ended up scoring this awesome pre-packaged "spicy chicken salad" which was delicious and totally gluten-free for only about 6 bucks and some change. Great deal! What I loved: - location, especially great for people watching - variety of seating - amount of seating - availability of outlets - vibe: I could tell there were locals here - background music: whoever was picking the tunes has my seal of approval - wifi with no password = score - the counter where you can throw away trash, return your dishes, get a glass cup of water, plastic utensils, half 'n' half, etc. - bathrooms are unisex and easily accessible - the epic quote on the white board near the bathroom hallway, definitely provoked some deep thoughts on my part - outdoor seating for a warm afternoon What I would change: - maybe shut the door? it can get cold and drafty depending on where you're sitting - background music volume: 'twas a little too loud on certain notes Can't wait to come back earlier in the day to try their coffee (decaf Americano with heavy cream please). Seriously people, why go to Starbucks across the street when you can come HERE! read more

I don't have a problem with the kids' area - I mean, how many coffee shops out there are really serene islands of studiousness and solitude? Even if there weren't a children's area, there would still be milk steamers screeching, friends chatting, the Arctic Monkeys leaking from your neighbor's earbuds, the ambient symphony of an urban caffeine oasis. The coffee is fine, the food is also good. It is a leisurely place, so don't expect to grab-n-go like you might at the Starbucks across the street. I waited maybe 5-6 minutes for a sandwich that they heated up for me. It was good, and I wasn't in a hurry. The cashiers aren't exactly bursting with warmth, but I'm here for a cup of coffee, not an affirming experience. My thing is that I have never wanted to spend any length of time in this place because it is so freaking hot. And it's a still heat. No air movement at all. It is a sweat box. We should get a power yoga class going in there. We should have the Ballard HS wrestling team jump rope in there to drop a weight class. We could grow tomatoes in there. They should have Gatorade stations in there. I think it's just the amount of sun exposure through the windows, but Lord have mercy. All in all it's not a bad place. My picks for Ballard coffee shops are as follows: Best Actual, You Know, Coffee: Cafe Fiore Nicest Baristas: Sip'n'Ship Best Food: Miro Tea House (I know it isn't coffee, but it's the same idea) Best Place to Camp Out and Read: Starbucks (say what you will but they have very comfortable chairs, WiFi, and a moderated indoor temperature.) read more

Everyone here is always so darn nice. I get the same thing to drink every time, so I don't have a lot on which to judge the drinks, but I always thoroughly enjoy the experience. There's lots of space to work or chat with a friend, and it just has a generally great vibe. I first ended up here because it was not a chain, but I keep coming back for the great service that always makes me feel like a valued customer and a respected human being. read more

Amazing coffee experience. They have four ways of brewing fresh coffee. That is amazing. The barista samples every cup of coffee made. That is quality control. I had a sandwich there. It was fantastic. Tasted amazing. Wouldn't guess it came out of a case. Internet is free but password protected. I'm not sure if it changes. They give it out if asked. It's also posted on the counter where you pay. read more

Ballard Coffee Works is a great independant coffee shop in Ballard. The shop makes high quality drinks, has great pastries and friendly service. I had a carmal lattee and they did a fantastic job having the perfect about of flavor throughout the entire beverage, verses just in spots as you would find at Starbucks. Prices are not the cheapest, but for the quality it is worth it. The coffee has a wonderful non burnt taste as well. If you are in Ballard, skip the Starbucks next door and enjoy a great drink at Ballard Coffee Works. read more

The best Mocha in Seattle. Always consistent high level of customer service. Go see them for Americano, Ballard Market Blend, and Ethiopia Espresso. Also they serve excellent breakfast burritos and blueberry muffins. read more

I like to try new places. In seeing that my usual study spot, Verite was full, I hopped next door to BCW. Initially it seemed fine. The barista was nice and the guy behind the counter helped me pick out a tasty looking breakfast sandwich. All with a smile. Americano: good. I was happy. Breakfast Sandwich: hot... on the outside edge. The inside was freezing cold. Eggs, when cold, are not my thing. Gross. I ate my way around the outside of the sandwich and began to study. After about 30 min it got louder. After about 60 min it got CRAZY. Kids crying, dogs whining, people having very loud conversations to drown out the sound of the constantly whirring blender. If I want to meet a friend for coffee, I might come back here. Since most of my coffee house trips are homework/studying based I will probably stick to my usual spots. I might suggest the same for you. Oh, and ask them to really, REALLY warm that sandwich for you. read more

I was a fan of Seattle Coffee works and was really disappointed when I moved out of walking distance. Lucky for me - they opened a Ballard version! Ballard Coffee Works has the same high standard of coffee. The barista's take extra time to make sure that your drink is done right and understand coffee lingo for that time when you're looking for beans with a hint of earthy blueberry. You're not taking a risk when you ask for espresso or a pour over - you're going to get a solid cup of coffee that you'll enjoy to the last drop. I've had both a peanut butter cookie and russian tea cake and enjoyed them both - I'm not sure who made them but they didn't come from a box! Each time I've visited there has been plenty of open tables and access to power outlets. The noise level can be a little high - but it's a coffee shop, not a library. I like to see the activity - their shop is positioned on a busy corner so people watching through the window's while sipping your mocha is divine. My only complaint is that the bench/stool to table height is a little off. I'm a tall gal and have to stick to the chairs/table combo's instead of using the bench or stools to sit and use my computer. read more

Eh, I love Ballard and pretty much I've seen so far but this place was a bit of a let down. Service was astonishing slow, even so with just one party in front of us. I appreciate the coffee craft and taking their time making drinks but it was a little ridiculous that it took so much time for a lackluster cappuccino. The atmosphere kinda makes up for it though, lots of space to relax, work, play etc with outlets galore along with a nice patio area. Maybe we just came on an off night? read more

Coffee was good hot coffee. Service was great. Love it's puppy friendly. If u have a bad back or hip this is not ur coffee house. Chairs and benches are hard very uncozy put they offer pillows and cushions! But honest the service was very good!!! read more

I probably won't be back. The barristas were super-nice, but I thought the coffee was shallow - like either they watered it down too much, or did some kind of processing that wiped out the flavor. the noise was so loud it was impossible to hold a conversation. A lot of people were there with their laptops and head phones. Maybe that's the crowd they are trying to get. They didn't have cocoa or vanilla. That was what made me start being critical. read more

I love this coffee shop. Its a great place to study, have a cup of coffee with a friend, read a book, etc. The coffee is delicious- I like how the baristas explain the differences between the "bold" and "bright" drips, and the music isn't annoying or too loud. Maybe a larger selection of pastries would be good, but even what they offer is great. read more

Delicious single origin cold brew coffee. For the coffee snobs - does not disappoint.

A fun coffee joint in the middle of Ballard. I dig it! You'll see many people with their computers while book clubs and others will be conversing. My latte was slightly on the bitter side but I tamed it with some sugar. I had a positive experience. They were super busy on the afternoon we went. No biggy. Fun to sit down and get a little work done or chat the day away! read more

The decor is a bit like the downtown location, especially the wooden benches in the center of the main area. At first sight, I loved the wooden bars against the windows facing Starbucks. Finally, a place with a bar that's deep enough to put stuff down, with plugs below. However, the stools are too tall, so you end up with either the food is good 2+ feet away from your mouth, if you sit up straight. Or you hunch over so much you hope you aren't flashing your butt crack at everyone. The place is definitely trying to be more upper end than the outgoing Tully's. Very few strollers used to come into Tully's, but now strollers are park everywhere inside. It's quite an obstacle course. And the children play area...yeah...it's a bit controversial. With the concrete floor, the sound does bounce pretty well (think Aster down the street). The wifi is reliable and speedy though. The drinks...the coffee is actually alright. However, Ballard is an area with many good coffee sources, so the coffee is just "pretty good." The worst part is the service. It is ssslllooowww. It's hard to find another coffee shop in Seattle that's this slow. The cashier is slow, distracted, and never seems to know what's happening. The barista is often even slower. I used to wonder why such a big open area near the cash register, and now I know. There's always a line here, and every time I've gone here, I have witnessed at least one customer who turned around and left the establishment due to the unreasonable wait. Ouch! There are two reasons a business can have long lines: a) great product; b) slow service. It's mostly the latter here. Once you placed your order, you're now at the other end of the service bar, waiting and waiting for your drink, with lots of others who are in front of you and are already tired of waiting. If somebody decides to try a press or something, then the pick up bar is blocked, and it's a disaster trying to get your drink, if it's ever ready. I've always gone here with friends, and by the time the last drink is finally made, the first drink is already stale. When I return to my group with the drinks, I always get asked "took all that time?" "did you get lost?" "it's about time!" And, a 16 oz drink here costs more than 20 oz at other places. I had really high hopes for this place. I had hoped for good coffee (mostly there), good place to work (good wifi, but weird seating), and comfy seating (loud). Slow service is an ugly surprise I wasn't expecting. With the much bigger Starbucks going in across the street, I'm not sure what will happen to this place. I'd also like to support local businesses, but it's not clear this is a business worth supporting. 2.5 stars. I'll click 3 in hopes things will improve. read more

Dropped in here for a mocha, cream cheese with bagel and chocolate croissant. Service was great crowd is nice however I may have had too high of an expectation. For the price of what I got and taste as well as presentation I definitely have had better and hoped it was better. The mocha was not as hot and did seem too sweet. The croissant was hard and cold ish and the bagel almost seemed like it hadn't been toasted.? read more

Does Market St. really need more coffee? I'd say yes. The ambiance is very different from Verite or Starbucks and the coffee is tasty. I went in today for their free coffee/grand opening day and got my second vanilla latte. I actually feel like the staff is very friendly and attentive. As soon as we walked in, someone came up to explain that we could order any drink for free or help ourselves to the french press. The woman at the counter was also patient and kind while we thought of what to drink. I didn't really get the impression of snobbery from anyone. It took forever because...they were giving away FREE coffee. I look forward to stopping by again on a regular evening. read more

I LOVE Ballard Coffee Works aka Seattle Coffee Works. The coffee here never tastes burnt, has the right amount of bitterness and sweetness. I particularly like the Seattle Sunrise blend, it's a medium roast and so easy to drink. I always stop by and grab a bag of coffee togo (they'll grind it up for you) when I'm in the area. read more

The coffee is great here. (Which you maaaaay have gathered from all of the glowing reviews...) The Baristas are some of the friendliest that I've met in all of Seattle-land. They'll actually take the time to talk to you, which is a nice change. I've had the Cold Press (several several several times), the Hot Chocolate, the Drip Brew and some beverages from the slow-bar, and they have all been great. Their coffee (and beans) aren't as burnt tasting as Starbuck's, which is another nice change. The ambiance is also a little industrial, but clean. It's enjoyable- not too homey, but not too sterile either. I'll be back. If I lived closer to this place, I would honestly consider just leaving a tab open... read more

My favorite spicy chai in the city by far. I'm not sure what prompted me to try the spicy version (usually I go for the sweet), but I'm glad I did! Ballard Coffee Works is obviously not your corporate-run, chain coffee shop in Seattle. I mean they tout their slow bar/tasting area...just for exploring coffee, which I am sure is much appreciated by those well-versed in the trade. I'm about as novice as they come as far as native Seattleites. Not the least bit embarrassed since I can still enjoy the great features this shop has to offer (not the least of which is good lighting and wi-fi)! I found the tables and layout of the shop to be pretty open. There are a few tables with visible outlets -- although there are probably more peppered throughout -- and a community room in the back for private meetings that you can reserve. Customer service was just okay. Sometimes I find these places to have slow service (they really love to take their time with the coffee) and their baristas can appear a little cold. read more

I think BCW has something for everyone. The vibe changes according to each barista's taste, which I quite like. Today I thoroughly enjoyed listening to African beats as the sun shone in (love the vast window space they have) and I sipped on some coffee and nibbled on a nutella cookie. I cannot say I loved the iced coffee I got, but the lattes' I hear are quite spot on. I think the half and half was off, so maybe the coffee on its own was fine. The sun has gone down and I'm now swaying to their pick of Brazilian tunes, enjoying a chilled ginger beer (it's delicious, and they get extra points for chilling the glass). The baristas are super friendly, the decor is spacious and warm. Great people watching, enough space to feel comfortable in your corner, amongst families, businessmen, students, friends. There's a conference room you can reserve if you want to hold a meeting or have a group study session. There's a baby corner for families. There's an array of pastries, sandwiches, and drinks, enough to satisfy you from morning to night. I recommend the apple strudel (one morning, far too early for my taste, I sauntered in pre-hike, and the barista totally assisted my sleepy self with my order, from recommending a non-milky drink to the strudel instead of the croissant. It was very much appreciated). So as I said, this place has a different atmosphere every time I'm here. A couple of times it's been too loud for my taste. But most days, like today, it's awesome. The music is not obnoxiously loud and I can get some work done. read more

I really did enjoy the atmosphere of this place the service was also good except that the product was nothing memorable at all the mocha was extremely sweet this spicy chai latte which brought me to this place to begin with was very weak definitely not spicy it was just an ordinary chai. so I'm not sure if I will make the trip again to this place read more

I've been to this awesome coffee shop plenty of times, but today seemed to be something extra special. Not sure if it was the crisp autumn day, or the nice cozy corner window seat I found, or the fact that the shop was playing all fo Frank Sinatra's greatest hits, but Ballard Coffee Works was on point today. The mocha was delish and beautiful with a perfect foam flower. Its the quintessential Seattle coffee shop. Plus the coffee is always full of flavor. If you're in Ballard, stop in! read more

My boyfriend and I were so excited seeing this place come in and had very high hopes for it since we're fans of the Seattle Coffee Works down near the market. However our high hopes so far haven't been met. The kids area can be super obnoxious, yeah, but we're not there for too long like others who may work/study at coffee shops. What was disappointing was the knowledge of the baristas and the amount of time it can take to get a cup of caffeine here. We just feel meh about the place. I am by no means a coffee snob, but the boyfriend is admittedly a huge coffee geek. He's got all sorts of gadgets and tools for his coffee making and one of them is a vacuum pot that he was introduced to by the Seattle Coffee Works folks. So for him to check out the new sister shop in Ballard and no one there can make solid recommendations about the beans that they sell for flavor and different coffee making toys is unimpressive. We've been in a few times, trying to see if kinks are being worked out and things are getting better, but we'll still make the drive to the original location as opposed to just our short walk to the Ballard one. read more

I had a Ballard day with a visiting friend yesterday. After spending some time at the market and also shopping for music, we needed some coffee. We popped in to Ballard Coffee Works. I'd been here before, and I knew they'd have something to hit the spot. I almost had the Kenya SOE, but I wanted to try something different. Instead I had the Kenya Peaberry. I ordered a cup on pour-over, but the barista said, "Pour-over? Well, we have Chemex." I said sure, not realizing that I would receive a huge carafe of coffee for $6. The coffee was great though. Very full-flavored, with the fruity notes I expect from a peaberry coffee. I put the rest of the coffee into my thermos and headed out. As I left, I glanced at a menu on the wall near the "slow bar." It said they offered coffee in a variety of methods: Aeropress, Vacuum pot, French Press, Chemex... and Hario V60, aka pour-over. Confusing. Why didn't the barista just offer me that instead? Overall though, a great experience. The baristas definitely know what they're doing, and the coffee selection is fantastic. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Ballard. read more

Great place to hang out for a while - lots of comfy seating, relaxed ambiance. They even have a spot for the kiddos with books, games, etc. Coffee/espresso is very good. I love the chemex experience here - something about it is extra perfect. The baristas are always excellent. I do wish their breakfast sandwiches were better. But overall, I always look forward to an easy Saturday morning at BCW. read more

This storefront, and Seattle Coffee Works at Pike Place, are two of my favorite coffee shops in the city. The macchiatos are short, sweet espresso shots with just a tiny bit of milk. While the coffee may be incredible, if you are looking for a place to work, there are better options in Ballard. They could use a better layout for the seating, and the WIFI is often too slow to use. My favorite way to enjoy: Grab a cupcake from next door at Cupcake Royale, then coffee, then a walk down to the waterfront. read more

Charlie in register was knowledgable and really friendly. He gave me a sample and also his reccomend action was amazing. The barista ok bar also was friendly and the americano I had was incredible. I wish I lived in the Area! read more

Victrola Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

My wife and I stopped in while walking through Ballard. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable and fast! It was refreshing to sit inside of a welcoming and clean coffeehouse, especially on a windy and raining afternoon! I took the staff's advice and went for a latte and wasn't disappointed. Reasonably priced and it was exactly what I'd expect for a coffeehouse in Seattle. read more