Very cool spot for kimono, kimono accessories and other related kimono items. I got some obiage and Obijime. It's a cool vibe which makes you feel like you're in an another world. read more

See all

Best Best Mocha in Seattle! Ancient Grounds is a cute little store on 1st Ave where you read more

Lovely store with beautiful goods for sale. They do NOT do coffee or drinks at all anymore. Just retail now. The shop owner was kind and friendly. The selection of silks for scarves, kimonos, and more were varied and really nice. read more

An eclectic collection of Japanese antiques. Ranging from silk kimonos to Buddhist statues, this little store and its delightful owner are hidden gems in Seattle's downtown. read more

I felt like I was having coffee in Night At The Museum and the artifacts, sculptures, and pictures were going to come alive! The owner who is also the barrista was a friendly chap, has created a very unique space that seems to be taken out of a movie set. If you're into art, Indiana Jones, and cool spots for a hot brew and snack then try this place out. Definitely not your ordinary coffee joint like Starbucks! Small selection of pastries, and no iced drinks. Coffees were solid though and tasty. Comfy seating on couches and chairs in the front. A lot of the stuff here is for sale so you might end up walking out with a souvenir. read more

Searching for a new spot to check out near the office a couple coworkers and I were intrigued by Ancient Grounds. Serving as both a little coffee shop and gallery, there were tons of cool art pieces on display as well a little barista bar. I ordered a chai latte that was pretty good, definitely not the most spiced or flavorful chai I have ever had but they seemed to have a lot of milk alternative options such as Hemp. For the month of April, they seemed to have a lot of East Asian pieces such as kimonos and yukatas. Though these were on display at an art gallery type setting, the prices were extremely reasonable at around $25-$35 dollars a piece! Will definitely be here later in the week to scope them out for the annual Don Oberi festival here in Washington! read more

This must have been one of my favorite stops in Seattle. I was on a work trip, staying at the Hotel Vintage just up the road and was looking for some real Seattle-faire. It definitely does not feel like a coffee shop when you step in, more like an antique store, but Roland has quite the array of exotic treasures to gawk over and/or buy, if you're into that. I wanted to try just the perfect thing, and also not insult Roland's barista reputation while doing and had a heck of a time picking a drink. I went for it, I chose the Mocha and he said he was one of his specialties. He melts REAL CHOCOLATE into your coffee. It was literally mocha perfection. I watched as he labored over the perfect drink, likely the same as he does for each and every drink he makes. "Make sure you give it a swirl, the chocolate wills tart to settle and at the bottom after a bit." Someone mentioned he's like Merlin mixed with Gandalf, mixed with ... a barista, and I would agree with that. You can tell that he is daring each customer who comes in to ask him to make a drink that will test his skills or create something he hasn't thought of yet, it's as if he's daring you. So I dare you, to stop in for the Ancient Grounds experience and the best coffee you'll likely find in downtown Seattle, and test his knowledge or skills :) You won't regret it. read more

How I heard of this place: When we moved to Belltown, a neighbor and good friend invited me out for a summer walk. We traversed downtown, Pioneer Square, and belltown; along the way, she pointed out her favorite coffee shop in Seattle. Four months later, it was high time I made my way to Ancient Grounds. Type of cuisine: Coffee roasted by Lighthouse Roasters in Phinney and Macrina pastries, prepared and served by owner, proprietor and educator, Roland W. Crawford. Ambiance: This Gallery and Coffeehouse is one of the rare gems of Seattle coffeehouses. Located just across the street from the Seattle Art Museum, the ancient and history-laden artwork from across the globe entices museum buffs and collectors. Step inside the small windowed 1st Avenue-facing entrance and one is delightfully surprised by the autumn-toned velour couch and armchairs and the aroma of freshly ground coffee permeating the art-filled space. While we peruse the menu and the artwork surrounding us, my sister engages Roland in conversation; throughout our comfortable stay, he returned to share with us his recipe secrets, stories of his art contacts and his love of coffee. What I ordered: My sister started with a large Americano ($2.10) topped with steamed whole milk, creating an orchid in her mug. My husband chose large the Mocha Breve ($3.25) and I enjoyed the tall Mocha ($2.50) with only 1.5 shots of smooth, caramely espresso. What I loved: The sweet mocha powder decorating the top of my mocha! Why I loved it: A beautiful atmosphere of art, history, and cozy cafe all rolled into one. Cost: Low to average ($1.60 - $3.25 per espresso beverage) read more

This place is pretty great, and is probably my favorite coffee shop close to my work. Nestled right in the heart of downtown, Ancient Grounds is a unique combination of art gallery, antiques/oddities shop, and cafe. The prices for Espresso drinks are incredibly reasonable (way less than you'll pay anywhere else nearby) and they have a small selection of baked goods from a local bakery in Belltown that are pretty fantastic. I tried an apricot chocolate chip cookie that was crazy good. Much of the cool decor is for sale, and you'll also find racks of silk scarves, vintage kimonos, and other unique items you can buy. Finally, the owner/barista is just a really nice dude. read more

I've lived around Seattle for over twenty years and stop by Pikes place area at least once a month. I love to grab a bite, do a bit of shopping and take in the views. Over the years the places I'd stop by would change. There used to be a paper store next to Ancient Grounds that I loved going into and to my loss never really looked into this space. Like I said, it was my loss. What a magical shop/cafe!? It's so cozy inside and it's so charming. So many interesting things to look at. I had a chai tea latte and it was delicious. I also purchased a beautiful brocade bag that I absolutely love and cherish. Looking forward to stopping by again! read more

Classy. Artsy. Relaxing. Warm. Friendly. Quirky. Cool. Beautiful. Musical. Great. Unique. Interesting. This is truly a gem in Seattle. Many small cafes share the same "similarly different" unique feelings and experiences but this place is ran by a man who's dealt with antiques for, if I recall, 40+ years. Mostly antique dealer, part coffee maker. I'd imagine this treasure trove of gorgeous multi-geographical pieces of amazing art is worth ridiculous value. The warm lighting helps accentuate the numerous wood pieces and garments. Nice, inviting and peaceful seating selection. You order what you want, enjoy it and then pay when all is said and done. I did have to go with some of my chai left, so he let me use a to-go cup - FYI: he automatically steams it again before putting in cup. I prefer my chai warm, so next time I'm going to say, "Just pour it in the cup, no steaming." He joked, 'Oh, sorry, now you'll have to wait 15 minutes for it to cool down." The Salina biscotti thing was ok but a bit to hard. Fun and quirky reads on the shelves, too. read more

Ancient Grounds - venti chai and salina(?) biscotti thing - Art Galleries Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

This is a great shop. The proprietor is a really neat guy that I always enjoy talking to. I tend to pop in here when I'm waiting for the wife to get off work. He understands my coffee snobbery, and is very engaging. The coffee is good. The art is great and varied. The prices are better than many coffee shops in the area, and of much higher quality. The vibe of the place is really neat. I love to just tuck into a quiet corner, sip my coffee, and do some surfing or reading. read more

Gorgeous interior. Mr. Barista informed me that my "Quad tall Americano" is actually called a tall Ilatiano. Educational. And then, he made me a fantastic cup of coffee. read more

I am 50 years old and have been drinking coffee for the better part of my life. I enjoy specialty coffee and I am always on the search for something better. Since arriving in Seattle about a week ago, I've been frequenting many different coffee shops. Unequivocally, today I can say that I have tasted the best I have ever had. Roland is the owner and baristo of Ancient Grounds. He has a wealth of coffee knowledge and truly understands the complexities involved in brewing the caffeinated goodness. Do yourself a favor and come here to enjoy a truly phenomenal cup of coffee. read more

A decent cappuccino in an interesting shop. It's full of Asian silks and object de arts. Many masks to view and buy. The owner was quite nice while I was there. However, there was no A/C if that makes a difference. read more

Ancient Grounds - Inside looking out. - Art Galleries Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Not really a four as far as experience is concerned but the atmosphere takes me back to a time of movie prevolance in the early 2000s. Looks like a place that will sell you the cursed amulet of the Ambani Makesh dynasty and not know what it is. Just an interesting environment with quaintly priced kimonos and about a dozen other steals to make your life an introduction to a euphemism retro centuries past. read more

Chocolate lovers take note! Ancient Grounds has one of the most intriguing and flavorful cups of hot chocolate I've ever had. Instead of regular old cream or milk, they use chocolate milk, which seems so obvious and is so delicious, I can't believe everyone doesn't do it! Extra points for the whimsical African themed decor. A fun and delicious experience, and a must for those visiting the Seattle Art Museum. read more

Five stars for whimsy - this little coffee shop seems more like a mini-museum filled with curiosities, tribal masks, sculptures, and brightly-colored fabrics than a coffee shop. The gentleman at the counter was friendly and funny, and I enjoyed the atmosphere while drinking my cappuccino on a very rainy Seattle day. The cappuccino itself wasn't the best coffee I tried, but the unique vibe of this place made up for it. There's so much to feast your eyes on, everywhere you look, and I loved that there were piles of newspapers and books around to be enjoyed alongside the coffee. Definitely a one-of-a-kind gem! read more

Come for the coffee, stay for the art. The coffee is one of the best in Seattle, and the location is right by the Seattle Art Museum downtown so it's a great place to take a break from seeing the city. The best part of this gem hidden in plain sight is the huge selection of Japanese kimonos and native art from the Pacific Northwest and Borneo. Definitely a great place to grab a latte and soak in the ambiance. read more

This place is so unbelievably rare and special, everyone should stop by to get a taste for the real Seattle coffee. Never mind the chains and the popular coffee shops, this under the radar coffee spot hits the nail on the head! The mocha breve is the best espressos drink you'll ever had. So glad we stumbled across this rare gem. read more

Ancient Grounds - I highly recommend the Mocha Breve, it is absolutely the BEST coffee drink I've ever had! - Art Galleries Near Me - Seattle, Washington

My first thought upon entering Ancient Grounds: "Are we in the right place?" The small coffee maker and counter in the midst of all the antiques confirmed that we were. Truthfully, I wasn't a fan of how it seemed like the store came first and the coffee was thrown in as an afterthought, but my friend was on a short lunch break so we decided to stay and try it out. I was excited to see Con Panna on the menu but that excitement was quickly cut short when the owner informed me he had no whipped cream. Boo. I settled for a Macchiato and my friend ordered an Herbal Tea Latte. The former was nice and potent but the latter was rather lackluster. We both found it odd that the tea was made using one of those single pack teabags you find at hotels and that, of all teas, it was mint flavored. The drinks were brought out to us by the owner which was real nice. He seems to be the only guy running the store and knew many of the customers that came in after us. Not sure if I'll ever be one of the regulars, but I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a quiet, eccentric cafe setting. Skip the tea latte. read more

Ancient Grounds - Macchiato and Herbal Tea Latte - Art Galleries Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

This is the best coffee in Seattle, served by a wonderful man in an incredible setting. Must visit for anyone who loves coffee, art, and life. A true unique gem and an echo of the spirit this city use to possess, when people had time to appreciate the finer things. read more

I love this place! I visited over a year ago and then happened upon it again a few weeks ago, and berated myself for forgetting about it. Amidst all the generic and more noticeable "coffee houses", it can be easy to bypass this odd little place that has all kinds of artifacts, from tribal masks to Native American prints to Asian tapestries. Oh, and origami at the counter made out of dollar bills. It's a bit busy, this museum coffee shop, and yet, so cozy and un-loud. I think the owner/barista is as ancient as some of the stuff in there, I don't say that in a bad way- I think he totally adds to the character of the place! Plus, he makes killer mochas and lattes. They are strong, they are delicious, they are comforting, they are art. You can escape dreary weather and crowds and go in for a mid afternoon coffee with a friend, sit on the comfy couches, munch on a Macrina molasses cookie, and just take a moment to find solace in what is often an over-crowded overly loud downtown. Give it a go. It's a unique spot and has better coffee than most places in the city. read more

This is the ONLY place in Seattle that is worth specifically making a journey to for coffee... it's on 1st street very near the Seattle Art Museum, and I gotta say... since the first time I stumbled in here (honestly, it was to use the wifi since I had gotten all kinds of turned around) in 2006... I've been enamored. I don't like most coffee, period, but I ESPECIALLY, being so spoiled back east by a devoted roaster that literally tasted every small tiny batch before sending it to the few coffee shops that were good enough for their stuff.... well, I mostly despise Seattle coffee... and I love Ancient Grounds. This barista is incredible. He is supremely kind, gentle, educated, welcoming, and has no qualms about making your special drink JUST RIGHT, letting you taste to see if there's enough chocolate (cause I'm sometimes wanting the taste of intense hot chocolate with just a lil aroma of coffee!)... and happy to put in more. He understands that sometimes the body has to follow an illogical path to get to the logical sweet spot of bliss. The entire inside... beautiful. Just ... wow. Exotic carved masks from all around the world, Seattle included in that all around... and just... mmm. It's so nice. The little cakes and cookies are also, if you want a bit of a treat other than the dessert-quality coffee he serves, impressive matches for his drinks. It's all just so good. I almost don't want to share him with others, but I want him to stay around the rest of my Seattle existence!! Go support him... but only if you're ready to be discerning and suddenly scoff at anything else. Lighthouse is his roaster for everything but espresso. Espresso is Vivace. He also makes sure every new batch he gets is perfect... he's an artist, you know? The best kind of art... edible! read more

Really interesting atmosphere--they bill themselves as "A Coffeehouse & Natural History Art Gallery" The walls are filled with Native American and Japanese masks along with other artifacts. The atmosphere was subdued, the service was friendly and the coffee was good. A good quiet place to hide away and use some free WiFi. I also liked that in lieu of business cards they put labels on small paper filters. read more

Coffee was great, Roland is an incredibly knowledgeable and wise individual, we left with a nice caffeine buzz, some great conversation with other guests, and an even nicer textile from Indonesia. Will be back again! read more

This has the best espresso I've ever had. I don't have a developed taste for coffee, and honestly most espresso tastes pretty much the same to me if prepared reasonably competently. But Roland makes it remarkably better than anywhere else I've ever been. He's passionate about coffee and it shows. His personality warms you up as much as your drink. He even taught me how to drink espresso! (It's not that complicated) This is really the only place that I'll go out of my way to visit just for the espresso. I always order either an espresso or americano. The service is great too. Roland is there by himself, but is kind enough to take your orders and stay out of your way if you're working or with someone, but still make sure you have everything you need. The atmosphere is really cool, stuff from all over the world hanging around everywhere. Great for a rainy day, perfect for dates. Also in a great location downtown. Tragic that Cherry Street seems so much more popular, though it might be less cool if it were crowded. It's not hidden away, but I consider it my special Seattle spot that no one seems to know about. Don't forget it's closed Sundays and most holidays! And sometimes Roland seems to just be on vacation (accumulating more art no doubt). read more

Loved this place. We stopped in to get out of the rain and to grab a cup of coffee. Inside Ancient Grounds was not only good coffee, but a curiously interesting collection of items which served as decor as well as display of items for sale. The two of us were the only ones there on that rainy afternoon, and the barista/cashier/possibly owner was so extremely nice and friendly. He insisted on us sitting down and relaxing while our orders of regular coffee and espresso was being prepared. At the table where we sat down was a simple sign which read "Seating limited to 2 or more... Please". read more

Ancient Grounds - Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy. - Art Galleries Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

I think its my new favorite coffee shop. Very quiet, barista was nice and educational. I'm a bit of a coffee "snob" and he was explaining some things to me that I didn't know. Ambiance in the place is the best of any coffee shop I've been to in Seattle yet. read more

A beautiful oasis in downtown. This cafe is a little bit of everything. Part art gallery, part internet cafe, part coffee house. You need to take a moment to inhale the beauty of this place. Interesting art covers every inch of this little shop. Beautiful Native American masks, Japanese play masks, Asian armor, hand-crafted stone crabs. This place is incredible to look at. Also a great cup of coffee. They really care about making a worthwhile beverage. Tons of outlets and free internet, so a nice place to hide too. read more

Seems more like an antique shop more than anything else. My friends insisted on going to the first Starbucks a few doors down but there was a huge line so I came here. I ordered an espresso which was nothing special - even thought it took ten minutes to get it. Then again, I drink espress just for the caffeine - I'm really a tea drinker. The staff didn't say Hello or Thank You during my time there. Don't remember them saying anything. read more

A coffee shop downtown that carries both Vivace and Lighthouse Roasters - what a treat! The barista is very kind and makes an excellent latte, there are always fresh flowers welcoming you at the door, and they have a generous selection of pastries (no sandwiches/meal items though... sorry). read more

Delicious drip coffee & espresso--and amazing art. The barista was chatting with some other customers; very friendly! Nice location and comfy chairs, too. read more

Is it an art gallery, a coffee shop, a kimono store, an antiquarian display, or a place to hang out with friends and learn new things? I'd say it's all of these rolled into one. The owner is a gregarious man who is more than happy to make you beautiful and delicious coffee drinks while he chats with you about the wonderful things that he's collected [and is selling] in his shop. We showed up around 20 minutes to close for some coffee after hitting up Pike Place Market on the premise that any coffee shop that uses a punny name can't be all that awful and ended up discovering a veritable treasure trove of wonderful things to look at while drinking some expertly made brews. Had I been a local, this would've become a regular neighborhood stop-- not only for coffee, but for charming antiques as well. read more

This was a TERRIBLE unauthentic mocha. They use hazelnut flavored sauce instead of chocolate: absolutely disgusting and unacceptable. I'm still bitter I even went in here, I could have walked a block in any direction and gotten a great espresso drink! This is a weird place that sells kimonos, used and new, and the walls are covered with crazy Japanese masks. There's an old dude with a beard making coffee and he doesn't seem right. This is not a real coffee place. read more

Why this cafe only has 18 reviews in the 10+ years they've been in business, i will never know. Those of you who consider yourself to be serious espresso drinkers. Come here and try some of their drinks; they will not disappoint. Also, they have great unique interior, something different from the rest of the hipsteresque decors most Seattle cafes flaunt. Plenty of seatings, individual desk lamps (and how!), plugs, wifi, and a quiet atmo to study or read while you caffenate yourself. Do yourself and the city a favor and pay a visit next time you're tempted to grab a quick starbucks fix. read more

Very cool setting with all kinds of interesting antiques to look at while you sit. My chai tea latte was really good, and the mugs are huge. The apricot chcocolate chip cookie was very interestingly tasty. Service is relaxed and great. I'd definitely come here over Starbucks (for slightly cheaper drinks too!). read more

Have you ever enjoyed an excellent espresso in the Oriental wing of the Met? If not, your best bet might be to fly to Seattle and head to this cafe/gallery. Friendly barista/owner. Great espresso. Relatively inexpensive. The vibe is interesting. It certainly takes a certain person or mood to come here. Quiet, with peaceful music.. A bit dark. Definitely the cafe for the introvert or person who wants to get some work done and be left alone. read more

I would definitely come here again. Excellent atmosphere of Japanese and Polynesian artifacts to stare at as you sip your coffee and eat your fresh pastries. The atmosphere is very chill and the latte I had was extremely delicious. A good dark blend that made the latte the right amount of bitter mixed with the sweetness of the milk. Great to the last drop, and the Acorn Squash harvest bread that was made at a local bakery was a nice pairing with the latte. A big plus is the price as well. I'm used to paying around $4 for a medium latte, and here I got my latte for $2.70. Ancient Grounds is the kind of place I would bring a calm group of friends to or simply sit down and read a book about ancient Japanese history. read more

This place is SPECIAL. Full of wonderful oddities from the far corners of the earth. Terrific service, delicious coffee and an ambiance that makes it a DON'T MISS STOP. If you need a coffee, this is it! read more

Ancient Grounds - Mmmmmm.... Cappuccino - Art Galleries Near Me - Seattle, Washington