Allegro is integral to the heart-and-soul of coffee culture in Seattle. In contention for the best coffee shop in Seattle, it's also one of the originals. Fortunately, it's hidden- tucked away in an alley in the back of an old 1917 brick building. So it gets full, but never crowded. The coffee is delicious. The baristas keep it real. The Internet if fast enough. The art on the walls rotates regularly. They play music upstairs on Friday nights. The tables are worn wood and sometimes you have to share. They have a cork-board where in the pre-mobile days you could leave notes for people. Pure class. BTW: one of the founders of the coffee shop is still pulling shots, but in the front of the building at Bulldog News. You'll not find a more delicious drink than one pulled by Nathaniel. read more

I've been going to the allegro ever since I was four years old. This place has become my base for when I want to write, do homework, chit chat, and meet up with my parents. My life practically revolved around this coffee shop and I met many friends. In fact, this is the place where my parents first met and I now have an emotional attachment here. The baristas always know what I want and there is no awkward silences and bad jokes. The art is wonderful and the smell of coffee, newspapers, and baked goods warms the heart. Some Fridays they have music and every time I go I see someone I can say "hello" to. The owner; Nathaniel is a very honest kind man and he has a good rhythm for music. This place is filled with love if you relax and soak in the art of the place. read more

Great coffee, Rude baristas. If you care about service, this place is a fat no. Every time I come here, the baristas have been very passive aggressive and I've never seen coffee shop with this kind of service. read more

You should make the Allegro one of your "must go" places in Seattle if, for nothing else, the history of the place. Don't let the attitude of the barista du jour dissuade you....they come and go. It was supposedly the first place in Seattle you could get an espresso---back when it was cafe au lait and not latte. The actual building it is housed in (rumor has it) was a mortuary. I think it opened in '74, I got a job as a dishwasher there in '76. The guy who owned it became a coffee buyer for Starbuck's. Or maybe THE coffee buyer for Starbucks. He was pretty instrumental in the coffee revolution. It was always a place where you could go and get fresh squeezed OJ, scones, or tea in a beat-up aluminum pot. There was always an amazing assortment of posters and notices on the bulletin boards. There was usually some decent art on the walls that changed out pretty often. People would read Proust or Wittgenstein. The only music was classical. The side room opened a little later and the upstairs after that. It used to have 2 bathrooms. It's been through many iterations. Customers would spill out in the alley and sit on the curb. There was an open space across from the large windows that let in lots of light. If you are the kind of person who can tell a high acid coffee from a mellower blend, you really have the former owner of this cafe to thank for that. He really made it possible for all of us to be coffee aficionados. read more

Fun coffee shop, friendly and lively atmosphere but also always crowded. Seems more like a coffee shop for people to catch up /hang out/practice their second language than a coffee shop to get some serious studying done. I ordered a green tea latte (which they don't actually make). They instead mixed a green tea bag with hot milk. I wouldn't recommend this, it was mostly just hot milk. To be fair, I was warned. read more

This was an all-around poor experience. My friend and I went in to get some work done about two hours before they were scheduled to close. As many other reviewers mentioned, the customer service was atrocious. Both of the employees working were impatient as we decided what to order and annoyed handling our payment transactions. We ordered an iced coffee, hot apple cider, and banana bread. The drinks were good and the bread had good flavor and was moist. About 45 minutes before they were supposed to close, one of the employees came around collecting glasses and plates and informed us that they would be closing in 20 minutes while there were about 6/7 customers including us working and visiting in the shop. The final interaction included us leaving (mind you 20 minutes before we wanted to/were planning on) and saying thank you to the staff and being met with blank stares and absolutely no response or acknowledgment. While the coffee and food were good, nothing makes up for being treated like an inconvenience. Truly disappointed in this place and will not be returning. read more

This place is hella cozy and warm and is perfect for those cold winter mornings. I am not from the area, and the baristas spotted it right away. They chatted me up and found out I am from SF and we started talking about coffee places we all knew out in that area (Sightglass Coffee). I felt super welcome in this business, and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. In fact, I am writing up my review on their wifi right now, and the wifi is really decent and the password is super funny (not going to say it, but you gotta come in and find out for yourself). The next time I am out here in Seattle, this is a for sure stop for me. read more

This has been Seattle's best coffeehouse forever and still is. It's not for everyone (as some of the reviews attest), although that's hard for me to grok. Anyway, I stop by frequently but especially after traveling I make sure to come in for an espresso just the way I like it. It re-sets my system, sharpens my clock, and makes the world right again. The baristas have been a part of my life for decades--skillful as coffee-makers and super-interesting as individuals. read more

I've been here several times, and I've always enjoyed my experiences. I usually order the hot chocolate and brioche cinnamon roll. The servers I've had were always sweet, conversational and charming. The upstairs seating is nice (not usually publicized, and you have to go outside to get there) and open, good for working. The vibe is very casual and the music they play is poppin'. I'd definitely recommend as a cute spot to get together with friends or for a date. read more

My favorite coffee place on the Ave., and probably anywhere for that matter. I LOVE the coffee here! I always get an iced white mocha and I have never once been disappointed. The drinks are reasonably priced and its a pretty good place to study, if you can find a spot. I really like all of the different currencies on the wall for some reason too! The only dislike I have is that, in my opinion, some of the baristas/cashiers are slightly elitist and give off sort of a rude vibe. This is nothing that keeps me from going back though. I guess if I worked at a place with this good of coffee I would be elitist too. read more

I'm interning at the UW and have been trying to find a good coffee shop to hang out after work to get some writing and reading done. Up until my visit to Cafe Allegro I was disappointed with my options. Allegro offers a nice quiet place to hang out, drink a good cup of tea, and get some quality R&R in. Tucked away in an alley off of the Ave it may be hard to find but that adds to its charm. Allegro has a great selection of loose leaf teas and coffee. The place offers great seating although lacks some comfortable armchairs. The only downside was that the bathroom was left a mess for most of my few hours there. read more

The cold brew was good. The location is hard to find since it's in an alley. The service was unfriendly and rude. Seating was limited. I drove out of my way to come here since there were great reviews, and was disappointed by everything from the points previously listed. I initially wanted to stay and do my schoolwork here, but I ended up just paying for my coffee and walked to a different cafe. I will not be coming back here. read more

Prob the worst service ever. I ordered the coffee to go but didn't hear the employee calling my name. I came up ask him if that was mine n he was like "I called u the eighth time". The look he gave to me made me don't wanna tip at all. read more

As a student at UW, I would come to Allegro to study. The coffee is pretty good and the location in an alley is odd but pretty cool. The few times I had been here before were good, but this morning was not. I came in about 9 and had been seated for about 15 mins. I hadn't yet purchased anything, as I had just checked my email and barely cracked open my textbook. An employee came up to me and said something along the lines of "Are you going to buy anything? If not you need to leave." He also said so in a super loud tone so everyone around me could hear. It was super rude, and I left promptly after. Not planning on coming back. read more

The nerd/artist in me says, "Oooh, the oldest coffee shop in Seattle!" and the adult in me says, "Don't freak out. It's just coffee." Favorite things: -The coffee is good! Not amazing, but good. I like the glass mugs, they're very classy and kind of homey. -The historical vibes. I wouldn't get that feeling if I didn't KNOW it was the oldest coffee shop, but kudos to them anyways. -The alley location is crazy cool (at least in the daytime. Not a big fan of walking in the U-district at night.) Least favorite things: -The crazies taking up a lot of space. I understand you want someplace to do a project, but there was a guy taking up the WHOLE back table with some rubber stamp activity. -Disorganization. Half the paintings/decor on the walls were tilted or falling down or peeling away. The art/decor is generally pleasing to the eye, but they should be better taken care of. read more

The latte that I got was great, presentation wise and taste wise. The donut was too sweet but who can I blame? Lol. The ambience is full of character and the crowd is unique. I'd recommend this place for sure. They could be a teeny bit better on service. read more

Cafe Allegro - Cozy place with a lot of personality - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Ahhh. I know I'm back in Seattle when I find a cup of coffee this good. I'd never been to Allegro until, on a recent visit to UW, my law school tour guide (a 2nd-year student) included it as part of the "must-see" locations near campus. Only a short walk from the law building, and a block away from the UW Bookstore, I'm so glad he took me here - not sure I would ever have bothered to look for it, tucked away on a little back alley! If I end up being a student at UW, I'm sure I'll be in here more often. I loved the atmosphere, busy in the mid-afternoon with mainly students both studying and chatting. Table space looks like it's a hot commodity, though, and my guide mentioned that folks often camp out here all afternoon with their laptops to take advantage of the free wifi and good espresso. Apparently they also have free live music on Fridays at 7pm, which reminds me of the student-run coffee shop where I worked in college - sounds great! read more

If you don't know what to get, get the mezzo mezzo. Apparently it's half americano and half latte. But when the barista explained me that it's an americano half filled of milk - I thought... latte! And it pretty much tasted like a nonfat latte. If you don't wanna get something sweet, get the mezzo mezzo. It was also pretty cheap (3.45$ for a 12oz) served in a glass cup! Latte was actually more expensive, so I say this did the job. Also, it definitely felt like it was a lot more than a 12oz so I really liked that! I also had an almond pastry which I thought was ok. Such a cute place that don't deserve to be in the ally! read more

Cafe Allegro - Almond pastry & mezzo mezzo (half americano & half latte) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Go here if you want to experience the worst service. Coffee is not so good either. Never coming back.

I absolutely adore this place. Coffee is amazing, the ambience is cool. It's situated in a little sweet spot hidden in an alley which is what makes it unique. Highly recommended!! read more

Allegro seems to be the sort of place that polarizes people. There are those who come away complaining about the unfriendly staff, and vow never to return. And then there are the die-hard fans, who showed up in strength even when the construction work across the alley was at its peak, and the only way to get in or out was to sidle in between the construction vehicles and hope you didn't get squished. I seem to be one of the few people at neither extreme. I've never had a problem with the staff; they've always seemed reasonably polite and efficient. Hell, sometimes downright friendly. But really, I go to coffee shops for the coffee. The espresso here is consistently drinkable, but not the best in the area. I quite like the drip, though. It's not the single-origin Clover-brewed stuff that some places sell at $4 a cup. It's just good, simple, sensibly-priced drip coffee. It's what makes Allegro one of two or three places I stop by at semi-regularly to pick up some caffeine on the way to work. The decent drip coffee, combined with the fact that Allegro is quieter than some of the other coffee shops in the area, makes this one of the better places on the Ave to get some reading done. read more

This is my favorite coffee shop to study at when I am to study for ~4 hrs. TIP: bring cash, they'll charge 25 cents more if you use card. Pros: If you can grab one of the window seats, you're absolutely golden and happy. Lots of seating (upstairs too on most days) and the room next door. Really good coffee. Lots of pastries. Friendly staff. Low key and chill. Older patrons, and I mean the type that play chess and write poems. Great wifi. Cons: The seating in the next room smells (to me at least). Bathroom is itsy bitsy. I personally don't like the upstairs seating either... And like I said, lots of pastries, but forget it if you're looking for a lunch/dinner (except for a quiche anyone?). I only like to sit in the main room but it's usually crowded. Outlets can be kind of sparse. read more

I was told that Cafe Allegro was the pioneer of coffee before Starbucks in Seattle so I dragged a friend over today to try out their coffee. Right off the bat, we got lost because the location of the cafe is in a back alley where most people would avoid unless in broad day light. Right when you walk in it gives off a vibe of a very homey hangout spot but it was a bit on the small side (in positive terms I'll call it cozy). College students and the working class alike all gathered at the tables to enjoy a cup of coffee that might be accompanied with a breakfast sandwich or not. I tried their mezzo mezzo because apparently it is one of their signature drinks while my friend tried their white mocha. My friend said she had a wonderful experience while I had a literal bitter one. I am still a beginner coffee drinker so I am not able to drink black coffee with just milk. The service was good because they greet you well and serve you quickly. I will probably give this place a second shot before I give my final verdict of whether I liked it or not since I chose a drink that my taste buds are not accustomed to. read more

Had a late night study session, decided to not try the coffee this time-will have to try it another time earlier in the day. I ordered a tea which was a huge miss. Overly strong, bad flavor, and bitter (can tea be bitter?). The counter where you order at is also where you get your drink which is slightly annoying since it takes a couple mins to get your stuff while others order. I felt like I was in the way. I really want to like this place because the atmosphere is super chill, artsy and there's lots of casual seating to converse at. There's also seating out in the alley way. I will come back for coffee sometime, and that might change my opinion. read more

OK...well I actually haven't gone there since the Cappuccino incident. WHICH TURNS OUT is totally my fault (?I guess). The owner who's nice and someone else who's mean both sent me a message explaining that the majority (or at least half?) of an Cappuccino IS actually froth. Well...I'm not usually a coffee drinker so I don't know anything about coffee. Sorry about bad rating that I gave, I'll give a more informed review the next time I go there. read more

Out of the way spot with great coffee, reliable WiFi, and the perfect place to bring your laptop and get some work done. It's not as quiet as a tomb so you don't feel awkward talking to friends, but it's still quiet enough to get some work done. The atmosphere is cozy and not pretentious, and there's actually some decent artwork on the walls. I warmly recommend Cafe Allegro. read more

Nice atmosphere, plenty of seating good for studying. Good espresso with larger drinks in glass mugs. Many board games, artwork, flyers, etc. No music in 2nd room when I was in. read more

Cafe Allegro - Latte. I like the glass. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

One of the oldest cafes around the U district! It's in an alley way so it's a little difficult to find. Just turn down the alley by Mod Pizza and you'll find it. There's also an upstairs area because the downstairs frequently fills up. They give you pretty big cups for the amount of coffee you get. This is definitely a quaint/hipster place to chill if you don't want something maintream on the ave. They have outlet plugs every so often if you're looking for something. Not too bad. Check it out if you get a chance. It has a unique ambiance read more

Hidden down an (somewhat sketchy) alley way in the U District of Seattle is a wonderful coffee shop named Allegro. As stated by people and stamped on their cups, this is the original coffee shop of Seattle. I've sampled most of the menu and can tell you that most of the drinks are good. The best in my opinion are the mocha's. Both white and chocolate mocha's will never let you down. Try it without the whipped cream for a less sweet and sugary opyion The chai is great both hot and cold. The house roasted coffee is a bit mediocre for my taste, but if you need a coffee fix it will do the job. The vanilla soy latte is just that. Vanilla and soy milk. Wasn't very sweet or overly flavorful either. There is ample seating between the two rooms and upstairs area. There is even room for live musicians to come play in the back. The clientele is an interesting one because you have UW next door and the regulars who stop by from all over Seattle. Don't expect it to be a good place to throw your crap down and study. The wall besides the counter has posters of local events and occasionally there will be art work on display from area artists. read more

I love allegro's location, the hidden-ness... In an alley way. Sounds creepy right? Its actually pretty spacious and has 3 areas where you can sit in. Theres only one bathroom which is aggravating when theres a line of three people and you are dieing. I know space is limited, but c'mon... get another stall? Staff are nice, sometimes a bit snobby... but one of my biggest problems is that the coffee consistently tastes burnt. Now I have never been a barista, but man do I love my coffee... its a little less drinkable when it has that overly burnt taste that you just can't ignore. read more

I was waffling between three and four stars for this place, but I'm just not a true fan. I appreciate the ample seating, the access to power outlets and the occasional classical music, as well as the fact that it's been around since Chief Seattle. I think the coffee is only alright, but the croissant I had was excellent. My main complaint is that service is pretty slow when there are more than two people in line, and there are a few employees who have the snobby barista stereotype down. If I'm on the Ave, this might not be my first choice of coffee shops, but I'd meet someone here if they wanted to come. Note: They do take credit cards now, for a $0.25 charge. Bathroom: 3 stars. It's skinny, and sometimes they don't have paper towels. I like all the bathroom graffiti, though. read more

Really quaint little place. A friend brought us here to try out their coffee. I loved their decor and seemed a really homey location. I'm pretty sure if I was ever in the mood for some coffee and read I would be able to come here. I ordered their drip and was slightly disappointed. I had expected to see them brew a fresh drip as oppose to going to the back and handing me a cup of their "drip" coffee. For all I know you brewed it this morning and kept it warm. Doesn't really count as drip if you ask me. Not the same as blue bottle in Williamsburg where you will see the waitstaff actually make the drip. Seems as though a lot of the other yelpers appreciate this far more than I do. Maybe I will come back and sample their other options. ~happy drinking!! read more

I went here with a couple of my friends and we all loved it! It's hidden in an alley, basically, and the staff were so nice. I usually order a hazelnut white mocha, and Allegro absolutely nailed it. It was the best tasting mocha I've had, and so that is what pushed me for the five stars. It's a very home-y, comfortable coffee shop. Lots of seating in different areas. Also, I absolutely love that they have so many mugs for their drinks!! read more

Allegro is in many ways the quintessential Seattle college cafe. Its proximity to the UW means that the clientele is mostly students who are either busy hacking away at their laptops, reading with their noses stuck in several sprawled out textbooks or in a booth discussing that the Foucault essay they had to read for philosophy class. Personally I used to go here a lot my senior year to work on French and statistics homework. The drip coffee is cheap and pretty tasty. I really like their selection of loose leaf teas as well, they've even got a blend that's good for helping you with your cold, which as a college student trying to survive the Seattle winters came in handy on several occasions. Their pastry and bagel selection is pretty good and if you get there earlier in the day you can likely find an apple turnover or a pain au chocolat in the half price basket. I really like how they have several different spaces here that you can use. You can sit in the front room where the bar is located which is generally has more traffic, in the back room where there are larger booths and you are likely to find more groups of people talking, up on the balcony if you want to be more secluded or out on the porch in the fresh air. The music is pretty subtle and doesn't get in the way of studying and Allegro gets bonus points for having a huge dictionary to aid in the time of need. read more

Mexican mocha is out of this world! As are the thumbprint cookies... Basically, I love love love this funky little cafe. Such a great vibe, fantastic coffee, awesome baristas. One of the only cafes open on Christmas Day, and my family and I always go here on December 25th to get our caffeine fix before opening presents :) Cafe Allegro will always hold a special place in my heart! read more

This place is nice and homey. Unfortunately there's only one bathroom for three different seating compartments, but that's okay. I don't mind waiting. The guys that I've met there are nice. If you're nice to them, they'll be nice to your. You know how that goes, "I'll treat you with the same respect you treat me" kind of thing. I always get iced coffee. I don't know what it is about the coffee there compared to other places, but it's just always better for me. Iced chai teas are delicious when it's hot out. Unfortunately, it does get crowded sometimes, but overall it's a great place to hang out, talk to friends or study. read more

Hidden gem off of the Ave. The Cafe is hidden on 42nd street and was a really fun to find. I went at night and my friends that I was with didn't think there would be anything down the street but as soon as you take about 10 steps you see it. I ordered a white hot chocolate and was pleasantly surprised. It was pretty sweet which is what I like. It reminded me a lot of a hot chocolate I enjoyed when I was in Uni back in Canada. My friend got the mexican hot chocolate which he also enjoyed. He wasn't madly in love with it but it was definitely good. If you are looking for a nice cafe in U district this is definitely a spot to check out. read more

Nice cozy coffee shop in the U-District. A hidden gem, with an artsy feel. The latte was served in a glass mug, the way lattes should be served. Love the place read more

Where the Batistas turn a knob rather than press a button, and where musak is discarded for real Seattle music, you'll find a delightful shift from the long lines and expensive espressos a block away at the nearest Starbucks. Cafe Allegro doesn't have the billions of dollars that the Starbucks corporation has poured into it's brand (and may not have total profits in excess of a billion dollars since it opened in 1975), nor does it have the word of mouth recognition carefully built up by being panned for its excessive saturation (I'm reminded of Lewis Black's joke about a Starbucks situations across the hall from another Starbucks catering to Alzheimer who've already forgotten that they just left a Starbucks). What cafe Allegro does have is something that Starbucks lost a long time ago, and which this little shop never will: It's a truly local shop, dedicated to quality and the people who surround it. read more

I didn't and still do not want to review coffeehouses after Temple Coffee in Sacramento, at least not for quality of coffee. However, we came across Cafe Allegro on a pissing Seattle spring day and uh, alley-hidden brick two-level cafes offering big, flaky croissants for under $2, foamy cappuccinos and kid-approved apple fritters are highly welcome and appreciated by this humble Yelp servant. I dig the atmosphere, and will gladly return to see if the study vibe is all that the UW denizens claim it to be. read more