Relaxed hipster cafe with great music and superb coffee. Atmosphere is outstanding and has become my go-to spot for my 2-week trip to the area - there's something addicting about the relaxed vibe and not-too-loud music. Perfect place to curl up at a table or countertop with a laptop and drink and spend the afternoon relaxing. Everything I've tried is outstanding - for starters, the beans are locally roasted Lighthouse Coffee. The espresso is rich, creamy, and complex, by far the best on the Ave. Espresso drinks are all great: notably the Mocha isn't too overpowering and the well balanced lattes all feature beautiful art from the baristas. Chai is very interesting, appearing watery at first but packing a powerful spicy kick as a finishing flavor. The pastries have all been decadent; the brownies quickly became my favorites with their perfect crispy texture on the outside that melts to a fudgelike sweetness when you bite into it. read more

Cafe Solstice - Wonderful latte art here. Love that Larges are served in a glass, makes for a much more unique experience. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great coffee, delicious treats of scones, muffins and cookies always fresh and tasty. They also use The panini press to heat you're breakfast items or sandwiches, might take a bit longer but worth the wait. The businesslike staff really do care about making a quality product. Don't worry they'll warm up to you ,and you will gain a better appreciation for how well they do their jobs. Engage and Enjoy!! read more

I love this place to hang out with a friend or a book; besides Third Place Books this is my other third place in my life. I have recently started to frequent this place more than a couple nights out of the week. I used to go here years back when I was a full-time student at UW. And then recently I used it as stopping place before taking a bus home from classes at UW. Since then this place and increasingly grown on me for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, the espressos. It is a noisy ambiance, but one that I find very inviting. It is also a great place to be introduced to a rather eclectic swath of music being offered up by the baristas as they share their music from their iPods and CDs. To be fair, the espresso is very good albeit not out-of-this-world. They have an excellent selection of pastries; every single one is worth a try. I highly recommend the poppy seed lemon bread and the cardamom cake. The other food selection is reasonable and they do serve beer on tap and wine for those looking for that kind of vibe. But frankly, with stellar Schultzy's right next door you are better to go there for their hand-made sausage goodness if your looking for something a bit more substantial. It is a great place to meet up with friends, especially if you are looking for a place that has a variety of seating including one of the most comfortable couches I have ever found anywhere. You might think the wooden chairs will exercise your back and rump out of comfort in 30 minutes or less, but I have found them to be remarkably comfortable for long stretches. They also have seating outside (front and back) which is great when the weather is better. The outside seating does have heat lamps installed so you can enjoy a brisk morning while sipping your espresso before the area officially wakes up, which is sometime after 9 AM on weekends. read more

Cafe Solstice - Oh no, said Mr Gingerbread. Oh yes, said I. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I love the atmosphere here and it's actually one of the only places I can study. The music is great and there is ample seating. Sometimes services can be slow but I think it all depends on the time you arrive. Usually the employees are helpful though and attentive. Haven't had a drink here yet (looks like there are a few beers on tap) but that's my plan soon! read more

Cafe Solstice - Turkey Panini. Comes with a pickle! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The good: ample seating space, outdoor patio good tea Bad: you never know when they are open because the baristas or the owner shut down whenever they feel like it sometimes hours before the posted closed hours. Either stay open or change your hours When you come in some baristas clearly give attitude like they don't even want to serve you The music is way too loud for a spot that is popular with studying read more

The cool people running this place are too cool for me. The guy working behind the counter handled our food bare handed. Pretty gross anyways but extra gross during these time. Plus, there was just too many people inside with and without masks. Either way, I don't like people touching my food with their dirty little fingers. Ew. read more

My favorite place to get coffee on the Ave. Their sandwiches are amazing as well, a little pricey but they're super filling. The only downside is that it can get pretty crowded during peak hours (9:30-1:00 when everyone is trying to get some work done before classes start). It's hard to find seating and you just kind of have to stand around and spot someone leaving. Service depends on the barista, some just look grumpy. There is a guy that always works with sandwiches and he is pretty friendly!! read more

been coming here since 2017. best coffee in Seattle with the coolest owners and nicest baristas. perfect student atmosphere too!

Great coffee and atmosphere, but the young blonde Barista was rude. I've been a Barista for awhile and good customer service should be just as important as coffee. I understand if your stressed and it's busy, but there was no line and after I said hello her response was "I'll take your order here". Shouldn't be in customer service if can't at least say hello back to a customer and/or if I have to be the first person to say it. read more

The food and drinks are really good here! There are lots of options for sandwiches and pastries and many drink options. It is a large cafe space with a lot of seating, but there are really only plug outlets on one side of the room, which isn't ideal for students in the area. You would think being so close to UW it would be a great study space, but the music is always crazy loud and if you don't get a seat with an outlet you might be out of luck. Baristas definitely have a "Seattle freeze" attitude, I'm still waiting to get a smile out of someone who works there. It's nice for grab and go and a pleasant place to study with headphones, but I don't think it's somewhere I would go often if it was further from campus. read more

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

Atmosphere: 5/5 Very quiet (with the exception of some background music). Cozy couches and lots of tables. Good for any occasion: relaxing, studying and even socializing. Price: 5/5 Standard prices you would expect at a coffee place. Coffee and Baked Goods: 5/5 Took my dad here. He is not easily impressed with espresso or any coffee beverages, but he absolutely loved this place! Definitely great quality of coffee if my dad was impressed! ;) We also got a generous slice of blueberry cake with our coffee. TL;DR: Amazing coffee and treats. Very comfortable atmosphere. read more

Cafe Solstice - Caramel Latte and Blueberry cake at Cafe Solstice. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Randomly happened to land at this place after a tiring day of apartment search in UW area. Ordered the shot in the dark, jalapeño cheddar scone and blueberry cheesecake! All three of them were definitely the best I've had! Highly recommended! :) read more

Cafe Solstice - Jalapeño cheddar scone + Shot in the dark - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This is a great place to meet anyone and to get some work done in a nice vibe. A lot of my design friends go there bcos you easily feel that u r surrounded by a lot of inspirations and art and chill music which motivate u to work but not also not stress u out. Haven't tried the food here but guess will do in the future. Will update the post when I do. read more

I feel like I'd be doing a disservice to UW students and coffee drinkers by giving this place such a terrible review. I'm not a regular coffee drinker, but from what my friends say, their coffee is pretty amazing. I do, however, love their pastries and the atmosphere. What I don't like is when I get my bank statement and I find that they've charged me more than what I signed to pay. Twice before, when I looked up my online bank statement, I've been over-charged by Solstice, but by a few cents, so I thought it might've been a mistake or maybe there was a surcharge for credit transactions that I didn't know of. Still, I was definitely suspicious. And then I went there 4 days ago (1/19/2011) for a bagel that cost me $2.50, and I definitely made sure to keep the receipt. I just checked my online statement, and I was charged $3.50! Now I know there's no way that's a transaction fee, I didn't even get a coffee drink so I didn't think it warranted a tip (I've been a barista, I know the etiquette), and even for a $1 tip at a coffee shop, at least don't treat me and your other customers like we're such an inconvenience! read more

Pros: 1) Great coffee and they also serve beer 2) Big space including outdoor patio 3) Wireless Cons: 1) Super slow service (seriously...really really slow) 2) Staff refuses to smile. Might be a hipster complex thing but don't take my word for it. read more

Honestly, if it wasn't for location, this place would've closed years ago. The food is over priced and nothing special. There is nowhere to plug in your laptop, thus limiting your time unless you've got a spare battery (I don't). The music is often too loud for conversation. I don't like the atmosphere and I never stay. Yes, it's a decent cup of tea, but it is served with attitude. I didn't order attitude. In fact, there is only one barista who ever smiles at me and I groan a little when he's not on duty. If only there was another place in the U-district that served a good cup of herbal tea! read more

Starbucks did not have any cookies but chocolate chip and I was having a craving. There are not many choices on The Ave for a quick cookie (before a second shift*) so I tried Cafe Solstice remembering they have baked goods. The space at Solstice is inviting. Chairs, couches, tables, etc. Medium dark wood that reminds me of peace and sipping coffee. The selection of bread slices, cookies, scones, and others looked delicious. I ordered a ginger molasses cookie to go and a bottled water. The cookie was large, slightly crisp with a doughy center, and flavorful. Cafe Solstice does a good job with cookies :) FYI's~ * Many tea choices * Lighthouse coffee * A few sandwich options * Outdoor seating read more

If in the U District, Cafe Solstice is a good place to study with a cup of coffee in hand. Its quiet enough to hold a conversation, but not--and doesn't strive to be--library quiet. Tons of tables line the walls are very inviting for students and bibliophiles alike, but securing a table can be difficult during the early PM hours. Coffee is fine and Starbucks-priced, adding to the vibe that this is a "get work done" place more than a "soak up the ambiance" destination (a la Stumptown). Will return if in the area. read more

PROS: This place is by far the best coffee shop study place for students on the Ave. It's clean, unlike Sureshot and Trubant, and has a quirky with artistic/creative vibe unlike the overly commercialized vibe of Starbucks. IT attracts a more hipster, young professional, clean cut but still edgy and cool type crowd. I've been to different bubble tea places (wow, meesum, citra, tea republik, etc.) which are also popular study spots, but Cafe Solstice definitely outcompetes all of these. The food is always really delicious -- they have great sandwiches, and yummy soups... i love a simple chicken noodle soup form here. The music is really good. They also serve beer which is a plus, and it hosts local musicians and bands on some weekend nights which is awesome. The baristas still remember my name even though it's been almost a year since i've been a regular there which makes me feel really special. CONS: OK so like I said the food is really tasty, but for the ave and a coffee shop it can be a bit pricey (maybe $9-$10 for a sandwich meal). Also, it doesn't really bother me, but a lot of people complain that the music is too loud here... i love the music style though, and i also usuallly just listen to earbuds so i can't notice. The worst problem here though is it's so popular that there usually isn't any seating -- very crowded. but hey that's what ya get when you're trying to vouch a spot in the BEST COFFEE SHOP STUDY PLACE ON THE AVE. Thats all :) read more

Cafe Solstice - amazingly fresh grilled panini with a side of tasty tomato soup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The place has a really nice ambiance, although it can be a bit loud if you are looking to study. I got an omelet and an iced caramel machiatto which both more than satisfied my expectations! read more

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

Another institution of Seattle's unique/hipster coffee houses I have to say the District is perfect harboring ground; combine that with college kids, alternative-electro music, and caffeine and you've got yourself a gem. The space is nice and big, making it great for pulling up a spot at the bar or holding study at the grande tables. Each of the areas are unique unto itself. I've heard great things about the espresso and food, but the tea there is weak. Oh and right as you walk in there are a ton of board games, papers etc. Keep your eyes peeled for this little spot otherwise it can be easy to just walk right on past. read more

Everything you've read on Yelp about this place is true: The baked goods are fantastic, the coffee top-notch, and the staff taciturn and pissy. I'd love to give this place five stars, but I'm just a little too angry about when I asked them about their wi-fi password. The cashier just pointed to the blackboard in front without saying anything (which, yes, had their password on there, but I'm conditioned from years of coffee shop experience to never even look at them), while their barista said "What's wrong man, can't you read?" Honestly. That's really just unnecessary. Maybe I'll come back to grab some pastry and leave, but I doubt I'll be back for any real amount of time. read more

So, over the years I have passed this place numerous times and for some reason thought it was a burger joint and never went inside. When my friend suggested we meet for coffee here recently I was in awe to find out it was a cafe! I like the fact that they were playing hip hop, even if it was the socially conscious kind, it was better than the drab indie stuff I hear all the freaking time on the ave. The lady who rung me up was super nice. The barista was awesome. He had a handlebar mustache and when I said thank you, ignored me. We're all used to it by now. But props on the 'stache. I had a seat at the bar while I waited for my friend and could see behind the counter. It was clean. So..yay. This guy next to me was eating this piece of blueberry cake that looked really good. Then I heard him tell his friend it WAS really good. I'll have to check it out next time. My coffee was good. It was super packed. There was a table of boys playing a role playing game which just warmed my heart. It is a really great place to people watch. read more

Beautiful name. Beautiful place. Beautiful coffee. Beautiful chocolate cake. Just beautiful. read more

Seattle Weekly once called Solstice one of the worst coffee shops in Seattle... which is just total crap. Coffee drinkers in the U District know that Solstice makes a mean espresso. I get mochas pretty much any where I go and they have the best in the area and delicious cookies and pastries as well. They also make sandwiches (rather than buy them pre-made) which is nice if you're in the mood for lunch and not just a pastry. Solstice is pretty good atmosphere for studying. There are lots of tables, wifi, and a pretty cool atmosphere. The baristas are very "real" and genuine (some people mistake it for rudeness) and they don't try to force a conversation with you in an effort to boost your tip. Best coffee in the U district - hands down. Love this place. read more

The music is great ( somtimes a bit loud ), the coffee is good, and outdoor seating in the back when its nice out. I always get either a hot/iced mocha here and its always great. I wouldn't recommend this place for studying because personally i think its a bit too loud for that. But for anything else you're good to go. Reading a Newspaper, meeting up some friends, stopping by for a cup of Joe....PERFECT! an added plus is that their sidewalk seating fence is perfect for locking your fixed speed bike!!! read more

The inside of the cafe is very cozy and a perfect place to study and relax. I had chai but I guess I was expecting too much since it didn't taste that different from the sweet ones the HFS serves. I had their cheesecake brownie and that was interesting. My problem is the lack of respect for the customers. I usually pay with card but the cashiers are never nice to me. read more

It's a hangout place. Tomorrow may be different. People..loads of them.. talking, playing, reading, staring into space. Coffee smells good. Food - looks good. Coffee tastes good. Staff - jaded. I shall try the food next time and likely update with 4 or 5 stars. read more

On dreary autumn days when I find myself wandering the U-District in between classes with a craving for grilled cheese and hot soup, I like to stop in at Cafe Solstice. Their lunch fare is a little pricey. $8 for a whole sandwich and bowl of soup, but the cheese is some of the gooiest I have encountered and tomato basil and split pea soups will both warm you up on a cold day. If you plan to stop by any time around normal lunching hours, be prepared to fight for a seat. Fortunately, I am usually flying solo and can take advantage of the stools at the counter. Plus, this lets me wistfully lust after the cute red head barista, Charlie Brown style. read more

I don't love Cafe Solstice, but I seem to be one of the few who feels this way. It's not because they don't have a huge offering of tea/coffee/food...it's because the vibe I get when I'm there is meh. I constantly am finding here (not by choice) and everytime, I'm bummed that they are getting more of my money. The service although tolerable is never friendly or particularly helpful. People there look constantly unamused that you've come to their place. The entire place feels dark and shadowy, which in Seattle just bugs me. It makes me feel like I never know if it's clean or not. It's like a textbook dive coffee shop. (Is that a thing??) They serve tea in a thick drinking glass, which i basically HATE. It makes it easy to spill and weird to enjoy. It just doesn't make sense. read more

Great place to hang out, get work done, and practically on campus while still technically not on campus. So much so that this place is often packed with students and table space is scarce, so time yr visit well. I can state that the coffee is quality and I long for sunny days so I can sit on Solstice's patio and sip some iced Americano. read more

I used to come here all the time when I went to UW, so normally I would have given it 5 stars, however... While their coffee and baked goods are lovely, they do have beer (and happy hour!), and their baked mac n' cheese is amazing... Last time I was there, I had planned on spending some time doing work. I got there maybe around 7ish and the posted hours (both online and on the door) listed 11 as close. Imagine my surprise when around 9, the barristas started blasting hair metal increasingly loud over time. It took me a while to realize that this was their way of kicking us all out, mostly when all of the other customers started gathering their things. I'm not one to overstay my welcome, and I was spending money there, so I don't understand why they didn't just announce that they were closing early. It seemed super passive-aggressive to try to discourage us to leave that way. Maybe I was there on an off day? read more

My girlfriend loved the coffee! I wish I ordered one. My girlfriend gives it 5 stars! There were a lot of students that didn't seem to move the whole time we were there. It seems like tables will fill up quick and no one will leave. If you arrive and no tables are available, don't bother waiting. Luckily there was a table available. read more

Charming cafe right on the Ave. Amazing handcrafted coffee drinks and delish pastries. Ample seating, perfect for coffee dates or a latenight snack. Stay away from the cake counter unless you want to be tempted! read more

Oh yeah! I'll take this local coffee shop over Starbuck's any day! They serve good coffees, and I don't even drink coffee! Cappuccino is good! The pastries are good as well. I would recommend this place if you ever stop by U-District. read more

Atmos: Loud! The music is loud and often heavy with base and then the people talk louder over the music. If you're looking for a quiet place to study, don't go here, if you like the noise and hub-bub then this is a great cafe to chill in. Food: Yum! Grilled sandwiches is as good as a coffee bar can get :) I had the veggie sam grilled, very yummy - just the right amount of fixin's and nice and crunchy toasty bread with the cheese properly melted! Tea: Interesting! It was nice, I'd definitely drink more. I got the organic green - great for an organic! I forget who they partner with... It was served to me in a tall clear drinking water glass - an interesting way to drink hot tea! But it worked. If I'm ever in the area again, I would definitely pop in here. read more

I have always liked this cafe. It feels like a place where you can hang out, by yourself, working on a project or reading or just eating their delicious tomato soup. Or macaroni and cheese. Or any of a number of tasty pastries. The coffee is good, it's generally always populated with students who are trying somewhat unsuccessfully to concentrate on some homework assignment or another, and they have outdoor seating! I like that they serve beer! And they have bands play there in the evening! My only problem is, I can't study here because I am too busy watching people, listening to the music that is playing (too loudly for me to concentrate), or running into a friend. I love procrastinating. read more

I tend to have some time to kill between when my late class gets out and my bus home arrives, and Cafe Solstice is as good a place as any to spend it. I love that they're open late (and don't start cleaning up, putting chairs on the tables, and giving the remaining customers pointed looks half an hour before close like certain chain coffee places on the Ave). The customers here seem to be a random mix of different groups, so I've never felt out of place... with the exception of one time when the baristas had loud, angry music turned way, way to high. The downside to patronizing later in the evening is that the tasty baked goods are usually pretty picked over, though what they do have is usually amazing. I sometimes manage to snag a pecan bar and everytime I do it's like a chorus line of buttery-nutty little angels have started to dance on my tongue. Also on the downside, and the main reason why Cafe Solstice only rates a 3 instead of a 4, is that they make terrible, terrible hot chocolate. At first I thought one of the baristas just messed it up, but after subsequent orders were also sadly lackluster I now suspect that they just need a different, richer chocolate base. read more

I can't comment on their coffee, but the gunpowder tea I had was pretty good... but uber strong after only a short time of steeping. Who knew? Good things about this place that I appreciate: - free wifi - large space with large tables, perfect for groups or working on laptops or both - chill atmosphere - music is on the louder side if that bothers you... I didn't find it obtrusive while doing some work on my laptop but I guess if you had more stressful work to do and a lot of background sound doesn't work for you this probably wouldn't be the place to visit. read more

Four stars for good coffee and a fun, relaxed atmosphere. The vibe is definitely hipster, maybe a little TTH. Minus one star because the attitude is "we're doing you a favor." There is one guy who works the counter, with a beard, who never says anything and always looked at me like he was about to punch me in the face. Very strange. Also, the wi-fi doesn't work and there's no menu. Addressing the bad reviews: Yes, the staff comes off as rude, this is definitely not Starbucks. But that also keeps the line moving, which is nice when it's going out the door. The men's bathroom is fine, this isn't the Ritz Carlton (for a truly disgusting bathroom, check out Cafe on the Ave). The coffee is consistently good, and not overpriced. They do play the music very loud, but I could still study. I don't think it's dark inside; there are two big skylights that let in lots of natural light during the day. read more