Service can be... inconsistent. Definitely depends on who you've got behind the counter, but when it's bad service, it's generally not because they're bad at their jobs, rather, they are visibly resentful of your presence. As someone who works in customer service, I completely understand feeling that way 6 hours into a shift. But somebody should tell them to not show it so much! (I've been known to exhibit RBF too, so this is not a condemnation or anything.) Coffee (especially drip) and tea are amazing; I definitely recommend getting lemon spice tea with a pot. They have honey at the counter, which is nice but not necessary. Not huge on lattés generally so I cannot really speak to those compared to others nearby (except to say they're better than those sold at District Market). Prices are pretty expensive if you're getting anything except drip or tea, but those are the best things on the menu regardless. Do your best to avoid peak hours as it gets super loud. If I can't avoid the rush, I usually go to the upstairs area or sit outside if the weather is agreeable. Outside of peak hours, the environment is much more relaxed & very pleasant. read more

I know Cafe Allegro has been around for a long time and has been through many changes. It might seem strange but I have always been treated well by the employees there. Several times I have only had a mineral water with ice, but I have always been comfortable talking with employees about their policies and services. With all the restaurants in the University District, it seems the businesses there want to ensure good customer service and positive customer experiences. read more

Cafe Allegro - Nothing more than an image of myself. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

A Hidden Gem Worth the Adventure If you're willing to walk down a sketchy alley, you'll find this gem of a coffee shop tucked away in the U-District. One of my colleagues is determined to bring me to different coffee shops in the area and this one has by far been one of my favorites. The space is huge and the coffee absolutely delivers. The baristas leave something to be desired in terms of personality, but what do you expect in Seattle? I'll be honest--you have to brave some trash and stench in the alley and keep a watchful eye out for strangers on your way there. But once you arrive, it's a cute and spacious spot that makes the journey worthwhile. If you can handle a bit of urban grit to get to your destination, Cafe Allegro is definitely worth checking out. The quality of the coffee and the character of the space make up for the less-than-ideal approach. read more

I was on the U campus for an afternoon and made my way to Allegro cafe. I had a drip coffee and a danish. Both were good, especially the drip. The place was full and a bit loud, but I enjoyed the vibe. On the corner, before going down the alley, was a used bookstore where I bought a $2 paperback that I paged through while I drank my coffee. The service was quick, and a bit hurried. Check it out! read more

Cafe Allegro - The upstairs is more quiet - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This is the coolest coffee shop I have ever been to, the food is amazing, the drinks are so so good way better than starbucks shh don't tell them, the atmosphere is absolutely amazing, like when I say cool it's got the Seattle vibe with great coffee and food the service is always friendly not gushy but always get the job done. read more

Wanted a cute place to just enjoy a beverage and read my book on a Sunday. This was one of the only places that is open a little later (closes at 6 PM), so we chose to come here. There are some small cute outdoor seating tables and chairs. The inside is decorated very quaint as well. I ordered a grapefruit juice because they don't have any matcha. It was around $5 which isn't horrible, but I wish they had other appealing non coffee options. I was mostly there for the ambiance anyways. My friends ordered strawberry lattes and caramel lattes. I think they liked it, but it wasn't mind-blowing. I sat outside for a bit and the weather was perfect. It is nice and quiet because you are in an alleyway. Just a couple of cars, birds, and people passing by. It was perfect for some peaceful reading time. The inside was nice as well with a retro vibe. I would come back again for the vibes. read more

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Food and coffee was unique and tasty, and the whole cafe itself is really adorable. The only issue is the service, I was cut off and interrupted in the middle of ordering just so the workers could keep chatting. The place wasn't even busy, I was the only customer in line and no one was waiting. While I waited patiently for their conversation to end, the guy asked what I was waiting for before I told him I wasn't done ordering yet, with no apology. When I went to ask for the bathroom, they didn't even tell me I needed a code, and stood in front of the bathroom not letting me in, clearly annoyed at my presence. read more

Omg staff is so nice, and generally quick, many non dairy milk options which is wonderful many syrup flavors and sugar free options, for what it's worth the bathroom is not that dirty lmao. AND!!! Vegans listen up!! they now have the Macraina bakery vegan scone that has raspberry chunks in it! There is an upstairs area of the downstairs is too loud and there are condoms available in the hallway! read more

Cafe Allegro - The bathroom - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I came in a little like waaaaaa because the entrance is from an alley and this is literally a portal into coffee world. Best iced vanilla latte I've had in a while. Albeit it was $7 but the roast COME ON Got my drink and to my surprise there was another seating area behind the coffee counter. To my ULTRA surprise, there was seating upstairs as well. And all the nooks feel like different vibes. Not sure if I saw outlets so if you're in the mood to work until your computer battery is dead, this is perfect. Service was alright. It was pretty busy at 11am on a Monday so they just were locked in making my order. Will come back read more

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My favorite cafe in U-District!!! Everything I've ordered from here has been tasty and well priced (I mainly order flavored lattes). Their espresso is high quality, as are their syrups. The ambiance is always nice and calming, and the service is always good. Highly recommend!! read more

This is one of my go to cafes to grab coffee and a pastry from before work. It's conveniently located next to the UW, and service is always quick. The staff are very friendly and create a welcoming environment. I love getting their chai tea latte along with a scone or muffin, and there are even sea wolf bakery pastries available. I've always done a to go order, but it seems like a great place to work or catch up with a friend. read more

Cafe Allegro - pastry case - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I ordered a London fog and after tax it was 8 dollars which is quite expensive since a steamed milk is $4 dollars. I also asked for extra sweetener and it was unsweetened. 90% water and a little milk and was put into a cold cup. read more

Cafe Allegro - London fog - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I loved this cafe! It is a bit hidden so I wouldn't have thought of it but our friend who went to college here took us and their chai was AMAZING! my friend also got the orange spiced mocha which she absolutely loved as well. It's definitely student heavy and a lot of people seem to study in there which it's perfect for since it's quiet indoors. read more

Just good coffee atmosphere Oldest coffee house in seattle. It just a great place to study. MEET UP highly rated read more

This was a delightfully college-feeling café (I am no longer a student and not from Seattle) recommended by a friend, and I loved it! Very rustic wooden interior, unexpected amount of seating into the back, and great season drinks to sup on while working or studying -- all accessible through an alley off the main road! read more

Cool place that nails the "artsy Seattle coffeehouse" vibe! Love the hidden location and eclectic wall art. I got their muffin and seasonal mocha which were pretty good and served quickly. Lots of people coming in and out, but there's a quieter room in the back where you could stay for a good few hours. read more

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both drinks were so delicious! I mostly make my coffee and matcha at home, so when I do go out and buy it, I love when it's worth it!! next time, I would love to sit inside for a bit. It looked so cozy! read more

Cafe Allegro - peppermint mocha and caramel apple cider - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

A solid coffee shop that I come to more for the ambiance than for the coffee. It's definitely not the best coffee I've had in Seattle, but the drink options are solid and they have sea wolf and top pot pastries! Baristas are nice and the place is always full of students. Good place to come for a work or study session read more

Cafe Allegro - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This small cafe tucked away in an alley next to a bookstore gave me major Dead Poets Society vibes. The dishware is chipped and mismatched. Students were studying with a cup of coffee. It felt homey and unpretentious. The latte art is pretty. Perfect for those who want to rebel against the mainstream Starbucks culture. read more

Cafe Allegro - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

best white mocha here. really good chai too. i loved the staff and there's a great hidden upper section of the shop to go enjoy your coffee and study. reasonable prices. read more

Cafe Allegro - white mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I stumbled across Cafe Allegro one day while exploring the University District in Seattle during my recent trip for my goddaughter's wedding. Established in 1975, Cafe Allegro has a beautiful location that reminded me a lot of Indy's Alley Cat Lounge. It's in an alley off an area known as "The Avenue." It's a historic district with mostly older buildings and you can actually only access it from the alley (there's a sidewalk actually on the avenue, but Cafe Allegro doesn't have an entrance off of it). Cafe Allegro is home to Seattle's oldest espresso bar and a mighty fine coffee roaster. While it's relatively small, they roast on-site and import beans from small farms. It seemed like they mostly do small batch. They offer shipping and there's free shipping with orders over $30. The entryway was a little tricky as there's a modest incline and doing the incline while opening the door in a wheelchair was a bit tricky. There's an immediate coffeehouse vibe, though I found the people to be friendly. In fact, they were fairly full (with tables still socially distanced) but one table was separated so I'd have a place to go. I really appreciated that because I did really want to soak in the vibe. I actually ordered an iced tea. It was quite amazing. I can't remember how much it was, but it was a bit more than I'd usually pay. That said, it was clearly high quality and I have no regrets. They also offer some beer and wine options. I didn't spend a whole lot of time here, but it was one of my favorite Seattle stops as it really reminded me of Seattle. The people, both customers and employees, were friendly and the entire vibe was warm and inviting. There is signage clearly indicating where it's at - so while it's somewhat hidden, it's easily found and the locals definitely know it's there. I would easily return if/when I get back to Seattle, while I will also be looking at their coffees and/or subscription options. This is a classic Seattle place to visit and it's in a fun little area where I spent an awful lot of time as it was close to my hotel. I can still smell the wonder of Cafe Allegro. read more

Great coffee, fun flavors, lots of seating, and good pastry variety. Customer service is a bit hit or miss, unfortunately.

Well, here we are in Seattle, the place where everyone says the coffee is the best. So I figured I'd search out at least one of the top quality offerings in the city. A little bit of research led me here, and I've got to say I'm not disappointed. Now, let me just also say: I'm not into cutting edge fruity new wave coffee. I like traditional, true espresso bars, and if that's your gig too, you will not be disappointed making your way to this place. It's coffee that tastes like coffee, nice and strong the way it should be. Nice, friendly young gal behind the counter too - no neg attitude at all like some other review(s?) mentioned. Seattle, ya done good. For your reference, if you've been to Caffe Trieste in North Beach, San Francisco, this is a comparable product. read more

A shell, a shadow of its former self ... one of those settings that has such a great history. Didn't Howard Schultz himself say he found inspiration for what Starbucks is to be like here of all places? Such a travesty it's all gone now. Regarding service, it really depends on who's behind the counter... if you're unlucky, brace yourself for some extremely frustrated staff... not sure what the situation is. Almost always regret tipping. It's almost funny! It feels like they resent your presence and patronage. You're lucky if it's the older dudes behind the counter. They're cool! read more

Great coffee and light fare falls available. The vibe is a classic coffee shop you can spend hours drinking by coffee and reading a book. The service was great! read more

One of my favorite coffee shops in Seattle. They have so much seating and it's a great place to come study. They make the best London Fog!!

Customer service suck they ingored us and never came to the table....discrimination who knows just definitely not our jam. We never complain....but this place sucked read more

First time hear and loved the atmosphere. Quick service, kind service, clean and spacious. This coffee shop caters to almost everyone and mezzo is delicious and frothy!!! read more

Cafe Allegro - Mezzo mezzo - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Delicious espresso, but the customer service leaves much to be desired. I was waiting in line when a larger white man shoved passed me to get behind the counter, already not off to a good start. I try to order an iced espresso in a 16oz, but the same man tells me I can't order that unless I add extra shots. What? He says I'm getting an 8oz cup unless I purchase more shots of espresso, and I can kind of see where he is coming from in wanting to give me the least amount of plastic, but it's certainly not been an issue I've run into at any other establishment. An extra shot wouldn't even make a big enough difference in volume to need a larger cup, so trying to push an additional purchase is wild to me. As a barista myself, it definitely isn't a problem in itself if someone asks for their drink to be in a bigger cup, just don't fill it to the top and add extra ice if requested, especially an espresso that barely fills 20% of the cup. I ask him to add extra ice then, and he tells me he isn't going to do that if I'm just going to fill their cup with creamer. Where did he get this assumption? I respond that I was not going to do that and he gives me a doubtful look and rings me up begrudgingly. I ask what kind of flavorings are offered and he points to the wall of bottles behind him. Okay.. I am near-sighted and can't read the labels which is why I asked in the first place. I just go with caramel that most cafes have, but I was hoping to try something new after seeing the wide variety offered at Cafe Allegro. The cashier eyes me the entire time I'm at the utensils bar to make sure I don't touch the creamer. Is this how Allegro treats their customers? I wouldn't put it off the table if my race or appearance had anything to do with the way I was treated. So disappointed with my first (and only) experience at a local favorite cafe. read more

Friendly service, nice espresso drinks. Cool atmosphere. Baked goods are average (could use an upgrade). Recommended.

What exactly can one write about an indie cafe going strong since 1975? A place that has weathered change off the beaten path in Seattle's University District. A haven for countless individuals. Successful transition to being a roaster and providing the means of shipping its blends as part of a coffee club. For this visit, I saw a wave of laptops and hardly any conversation. Decent service. An assortment of baked goods. Tasty iced mocha. Enjoyed the sunshine and a slight breeze despite having to sit in the alley with delivery trucks and the lounging Ave young people. It was a smoker down wind that convinced me to move on. Just glad to see some places from a distant time as a UW Husky still exist on this Ave corner, like Orange King, Magus Books, and Cafe Allegro! read more

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This is everything I want in a cafe! Kind staff, decent noise level, lots of seating for the space that they have, and open til 5 which is a total asset in the u district! I ordered a latte and then when I was still there an hour later I picked up a hot cider! The cider was slightly frothy from the milk steamer wand and that was fun. I really enjoyed my experience. Things that would bump it up to 5 stars but totally understandably missing given the pandemic: gluten free food options, wine, and an extra 30 minutes onto their open hours. read more

Cafe Allegro in the University District is renown in Seattle as being the first espresso shop in the city. Although it has a long history, I had not visited this shop until recently even though I had been living in the Seattle area for almost a decade. While the street address is University Way NE, the cafe is located in an alleyway as you approach MOD Pizza further down the street. Perhaps that is the reason why this place is a best kept secret! Of the coffee shops in the U-District, I would say this is perhaps the biggest one that I have encountered as far as available seating. There is the main room where the coffee bar is located, as well as a back dining area. There is also an upstairs dining patio as well as a couple benches right outside. The cafe also has an in-house small batch coffee roastery. The shop has your usual array of coffee drinks on the menu above, as well as a separate special drinks menu. They even have cold brew which I wanted. Unfortunately they were out of that for the day, so I opted for a large iced house blend coffee ($2.50) which was refreshing. The cafe decor is a little bit dated and has a Bohemian type of vibe, but it gives the place character. I found it easier to find a space here after checking out the Starbucks down the street which was fully packed. Came here to do some work and found the free Wi-Fi to be okay. There were some intermittent connection issues, but for the most part it was alright. If you are looking for an under the radar cafe, I would recommend Cafe Allegro. The alley location helps keep this place a best kept secret in Seattle. read more

Cafe Allegro - Grande Iced House Blend Coffee ($2.50) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Allegro is a wonderfully romantic little café in the U District that feels like a must stop for anyone in the neighborhood. As for the coffee however, I was sadly not impressed. My cortado wasn't great, the espresso didn't taste very balanced (A bit burnt) and no effort was put into any kind of latte art. Latte art isn't the end all be all, but it's a nice touch that shows the craft off. read more

Cafe Allegro - Cortado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This shop is famous as Seattle's first coffee shop, so we set out early one morning to check it out. It was a little difficult to find this shop, at first. We were looking at pictures on Yelp and it looked like it was in an alleyway (just look for the vine-covered wall). As it turned out, we were parked on the street and that's not the entrance to the shop. We basically had to walk around the corner and then we saw the Café Allegro signs. There weren't too many people in the cozy coffee shop during the time of our visit, which was nice; we were able to order quickly (there were only two people in front of us). However, by the time we left the shop closer to 9 a.m. (it was a Friday), there were more people coming in. Since this is close to the university, I can imagine this ends up being a popular study spot. It's a cozy nook filled with lots of tables and chairs. Even though Starbucks is literally right around the corner, it was neat to visit Café Allegro. It reminded me of a lot of the indie/hippie coffee shops I used to see in Eugene (or Oregon in general) - lots of character with an older vibe, delicious coffee and pastries, and a friendly staff (even though there was only one girl working during our visit, who took the orders and made the coffee by herself!). The pastries here looked amazing, but we only ordered drinks during our visit. Here's what we got: Iced Mocha: This tends to be my go-to coffee order, especially at places that are famous for their blends. Even though it was a chillier morning, I wanted to get this drink because it got good reviews, and I love trying different mochas from the various coffee shops I visit. This version was smooth and velvety, and the glass was really large (I thought I ordered the medium size, but if so, it was bigger than I expected). And, since I was able to get soy milk, I didn't have to worry about getting an upset stomach later on. House Coffee: One of our group members got the regular house coffee, and he said it was good (he just orders his black). The nice touch about getting any of the hot coffees is that it comes in the Café Allegro coffee cup ... perfect for that Instagram picture. Green Tea: One of the people in our group doesn't like coffee but wanted something warm, so he opted for green tea. It was so cute how it came in a little teapot. He enjoyed it and said it was a great choice to combat the morning chill. Apple Fritter and Chocolate Croissant: If I did order any pastries from here, it would probably be one of these two. Even though we were there early in the morning, during the time of our visit, there was only one apple fritter left, as a testament to its popularity. There was a good assortment of donuts, scones (especially marionberry flavors), cookies and more. The chocolate croissant here looked especially good, and if we didn't have breakfast already, I would have gotten this. read more

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Exactly what a coffee shop should feel like - and everything was delicious! Take the extra minute to venture off the beaten path and you will find this treasure! read more

Found this place after walking up and down the block for a god few minutes until we realized we needed to go to the alley. We're from Texas so i had no clue that businesses can be tucked away so pleasantly to my surprise in alleyways! I had a delicious cherry blossom latte that was ridiculously good and the best treat to have after visiting The Quad at University of Washington. It was on Cafe Allegro's seasonal drink menu right next to the register & posted on the bakery cases. I highly recommend looking at what they have to offer and ordering a once of a kind coffee or latte. You won't be disappointed. Wanted to purchase 2 postcards but the awesome barista ended up not charging us for them which excited me because we came here to 1) have some coffee and 2) do some postcard writing to our family & friends back home and 3) charge our phones (plenty of outlets!). I wish we had time to go outside and upstairs to the 2nd level but we were too much in a hurry to take the rest of Seattle in. read more

Coffee is good quality and they roast their beans themselves! Fun location with an upstairs that you can also head to, including a small outdoor area with lights. Small location so can be a bit crowded and difficult to find seating--especially if it's around finals or midterms for UW students. Only big flaw for me is a complete lack of both gluten free items and staff knowledge. Asked if their "marshmallow dream bar/rice krispie" was gluten free--as they typically are, barista couldn't tell me and didn't have any desire to check with anyone. Understand not everyone knows the ins and outs of gluten free and whatnot but its 2022, Seattle has Nuflour bakery just in Capitol Hill; Not very difficult to offer 1 gluten free option. It's not just a "fad diet" for many people! read more

As it turns out, the barrista that made my amazing vanilla latte at Sure Shot works here as well (I still didn't catch his name) so I recieved a perfect drink again. Score! And I dig the ambiance at Allegro much more too, although it's tucked in an alley, making it a little difficult to find. They do have a sign on the street telling you where to turn in so keep your eyes peeled. The urine smell in the alley is off-putting but once inside, it quickly goes away and all the windows give a fun glimpse into the activity of the alley. In addition to serving coffee, Allegro also offers beer and wine, but they don't have much in the way of food aside from pastries. I ordered a marrionberry scone along with my latte that I liked very much and it was bigger than I could finish. So far, Allegro has been my favorite Cafe near the university and I've tried quite a few. read more

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The cold brew coffee is on fleek . I am a sucker for this place due to the nostalgia and the ambience of my undergraduate days. I love the baked goods here especially that coffee cake and the cinnamon roll. So many romantic memories here....getting nothing done...when I have amounts of homework...and lots of caffeine. Or maybe I just love ivy and brick walls. Haha. read more

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