We've lived here for years and I cannot believe it took us this long to try Cardoon. What a GEM!!! The interior is cozy, fun, and relaxed. It's definitely one of those places that immediately makes you want to settle in and stay awhile (and we had no power so, we certainly did!). Everything we ordered was delicious, and the drinks were super unique and incredibly smooth. But I NEED to talk about the rose cookie. I have literally been dreaming about it. No exaggeration. It was that good. Perfectly delicate, fragrant, and memorable in a way that makes you immediately want another one. The service was lovely, the atmosphere was great, and the food and drinks were outstanding. Truly such an incredible spot and I'm already looking forward to going back. There was also a special Makeworth espresso shot that tasted like watermelon SO unique, do try it if you're into adventurous espresso! read more

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I saw Cardoon listed on The Infatuation's top Seattle Chocolate Chip Cookies List and I knew I had to try it. My husband and I walk past Cardoon all the time, so one day we finally stopped in. The cafe is cute and cozy and makes good use of a small space with benches along the walls and low tables. It's not the kind of cafe you would work on your laptop for hours from, but instead meet a friend or read a book. They were out of chocolate chip cookies when we arrived, but the barista said they had a new batch in the oven if I could wait 30 minutes. I waited, and boy was it worth the wait. The cookie was warm and gooey, while still crispy on the edges. There are pools of dark chocolate and flakes of sea salt, and undertones of anise, making it a delectable cookie. Overall, a great experience and I will definitely be back to try some drinks! read more

Cardoon - Chocolate chip cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

What a great spot! We popped in here while walking around Ballard. They have a few different seating options, tables, bar seating, and outdoor seating. Their menu was perfect, a few well-done pastries and sandwiches and a great menu of drinks. They even have cocktails! The lava cookie was delicious. I really appreciated how they seem to focus on a few delicious options instead of trying to do too much. The staff were really friendly too. read more

Absolutely love this coffee shop! They have a beautiful ambiance and environment and although it is pretty small, we are usually able to find a seat and I love getting work done here. Their their drinks are definitely the highlight and I really love their seaweed latte. They also have some alcoholic drinks and some really nice pastries and service is always really fast and polite. It's in the perfect location if you're spending a day in downtown Ballard or going to the locks nearby. Unfortunately there isn't much parking but we are usually able to find parking in the neighborhood or just pay for street parking up front read more

Cardoon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Now this was a very nice latte.. triple shot, oat milk, 12 oz! I also ordered a dish with purple rice, tofu skins cooked in a very spicy tomato sauce. I could only eat half... richard finished it for me. Ohhh their pickled items were so yummy... soft salty pickle flavors. Loved it-- would order that as a side if they offered it on the menu. Rice dish was a good vegan option. And probably better with a beer than coffee lol We had just walked over from Fremont, but several other folks were in there working away while drinking the coffee. The staff was super friendly!! read more

Cardoon - Oat milk latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I have tried this cute coffee shop a few times now, and can say it is one of my favorites! I love the variety of sweet and savory food they offer, and the coffee is great. I always get the caramel seaweed latte, which might sound strange but don't knock it til you try it! I really enjoyed their breakfast sandwich on a previous visit. The roll it came on was so good. Last time I decided to try the savory sausage toast since my friend said she liked it. This was a winner! The thick sliced toast is coated in some custard and topped with roasted veggies and sweet-ish Chinese sausage. Yum! They also offer a variety of sweet pastries. I would recommend the lava cookie! read more

Cardoon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Solid latte, really good grasp on creative flavor profiles, and the coolest concept cafe in Ballard! Cardoon is a German-Chinese fusion cafe with rotating single origin coffee. The service is great, staff are super friendly and willing to answer questions. Space is limited- some outdoor seating, some cozy couch/chair seating inside, a bar, and a long table in the back so I wouldn't plan on an extended hang here, but the good news is that it's near the Nordic Museum and the Ballard locks so take your latte to go and walk around the area! I will have to go back to try the food and the shanghai fog! read more

Cardoon - Seaweed latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I am writing this review for the Lava Cookie. It is so delicious. I have never had a better cookie anywhere in Seattle, and I love chocolate chip cookies. The licorice caramel flavor addition makes for a warm and complex pairing. I love this cookie. I cannot wait to have another. Their coffee is also very good; though I did not try any of their specialty drinks. They are extremely creative and unique! read more

Cardoon - Lava cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

A cozy coffee and small bites location, with fun twists on your usual coffee fare. I went here while visiting Ballard, as I heard it has the best cookies from a friend. Some outdoor seating, some seating inside too. There's free Wi-Fi and power outlets, so it looks great for hanging out for a while or getting a few emails in. There's a self serve water station too. I got the Shanghai fog, which was great. Like a London fog, but with Asian notes.. reminded me of a bubble tea, minus the boba and that it's hot. My friend got the cookie and seaweed latte. You can somewhat taste the seaweed, but it came off as more salty than anything else and didn't enjoy it. The cookie was fanatically baked, and had a hint of something spicy (I think it's like gingerbread, but my friend placed it as cardamom). Fun place, would go back to try more of the fun flavors or as a comfy spot to wait a while. Just be sure you're in the mood for an adventure with the flavors, as all the items on the menu looked adventurous! read more

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One of my favorite coffee spots in the Ballard area. I would totally be here more often if their hours weren't so limited. They have amazing drinks. A really cool cozy and modern ambiance and the service is great. It seems like they are a bit Asian inspired in their regular menu, but I also saw some Ukrainian baked goods available so it's really cool to see the different options they have here Even their standard lattes and teas are amazing. So you really can't go wrong with an order here. It is on the main Street though so parking can be difficult parking can be difficult. Plan ahead or just circle around until you can find somewhere on the street read more

Cardoon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I think I've found one of my favorite coffee shops. I ordered the rose cardamom latte, savory brick toast, and streuselkuchen. The drink tasted just as good as it looked. The barista created beautiful latte art and the flavors were well-balanced. I had cardamom lattes in the past where the spice was too strong and overpowering, but this one was just right. The savory brick toast, topped with Chinese sausage and chili oil, was very unique. The chili oil added a nice kick, though I wish it had a bit of salt. The crumble cake was also good with strawberries in the center. I really liked the ambiance of the shop and would love to come back with a friend to enjoy delicious coffee and snacks while catching up. read more

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Nice place with a creative menu! We went here to specifically try the Lava cookie and we were not disappointed at all. The cookie was rich, deep, and super unique! It has caramel, black licorice, and black pepper. The best chocolate cookie I have had so far in Seattle! I am doing a cookie tour of Seattle so other cookies have a lot to live up to! Hoping to come back for the cookie again soon! read more

Wow this place quickly became one of my favorite coffee shops in Seattle! We got the seaweed latte and oolong latte - both were heavenly and so good! The flavors are not too strong or sweet - it's perfectly balanced and delicious! There's not too many seatings but still cozy and nice. Will definitely return! read more

Cardoon - Seaweed latte, oolong tea latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Everything we tried was delicious. The bratwurst was perfectly made with a well-balanced flavor. The honey cake was by far the best I've ever had--made fresh since it's only offered on weekends. The rose cookie had a unique aroma the only wish for this item is the type of sugar they use can change. The seaweed latte was a flavor I've only discovered here. It was interesting, worth trying, and definitely a drink I'd reorder. read more

Cardoon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

What a cute coffee shop in Ballard! I stopped by on a Sunday morning before work and there were a few people there already. I got the seaweed latte and was surprised by how distinctive but subtle the seaweed taste was! The space is so cute that I could see myself just hanging out there, maybe read a book. They have some good items as well so I will try them next time! read more

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Came in on a Sunday morning - it was super busy but there was still some of the limited seating available! Overall very cute cafe, perfect for a morning coffee date and walking distance from the farmers' market! We ordered the Shanghai fog and the seaweed latte for dine in and were served one in a to go cup and one in a real mug... unsure why that happened. The seaweed latte has a very strong seaweed taste (a little too much imo). The Shanghai fog was DELICIOUS! very light tea taste with their osmanthus syrup. Their food and bakery treats looks very good as well, some with definite Chinese inspo. read more

Cardoon - Seaweed latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Love that they have sweet and savory toast on the menu that are not just French toast or avocado toast. The menu is as unique and vibrant as the people that work there. I arrived at a very quiet time and within an hour, all of the seats were taken. Rightfully so - there are awesome spots to plug in and work at your computer, or look out the floor to ceiling windows at passerby's. I did not love my coffee (maybe the syrup just wasn't for me), or I would've given them 5 stars. Will definitely be back for Sunday honey cake. read more

Cardoon - Savory toast with iced coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This place is so cozy and fun. Their drinks are creative and tasty and so pretty! Unfortunately, parking can be a little tricky but if there are no other events the side streets offer plenty of free options. The space is small but can fit a lot of people and in the summers the outside is a great option. Would definitely stop by if you are in Ballard read more

Great ambience, amazing friendly staff. The savory brick toast with the sichuan sauerkraut added to it was outstanding! Overall super creative ideas re: Asian and German fusion food. One of the best cappuccinos I've had. Huge selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic cocktails as well. We will definitely be back! read more

Cardoon - Savory brick toast, sichuan sauerkraut - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cute modern coffee shop with very interesting flavors but it works! The staff are friendly and helpful. Great place to enjoy coffee and work on your laptop. It's not a big shop but have some seating along the wall. read more

Such a fun and quaint cafe with interesting asian inspired pastries and coffee/tea beverages. It's also dog friendly at their outdoor seating. Can be pricey so spend wisely :) My fav items: seaweed latte and oolong tea latte. read more

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Found my new favorite Coffee shop. In love with their Rose cardamom latte and hot chocolate. Their menu is German Chinese fusion - honestly it's so yummy and creative. Love the ambience and kindness of the staff. They have room of stroller, very intelligent design. read more

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Back for more and I had a lovely oat milk vanilla bean latte! Service was excellent again. This place is a real gem :) read more

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Very interesting spot! Cardoon is a German Chinese fusion cafe and I'm impressed by how they mix flavors. I loved the Shanghai Fog, it was so nice on a cold day. I had the cardamom cookie which was okay, worth trying but I likely wouldn't get it again. I also had their take on tomato egg but it was vegan. It definitely didn't remind me of my childhood tomato egg dishes - but I suppose it wouldn't because it has tofu instead of egg and that fusion take on it. Service is fast and the interior is cute. read more

Cardoon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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How I heard of this place: We were touring Ballard with out of town guests, who immediately needed coffee. We stumbled upon Cardoon, and were pleasantly surprised. Type of cuisine: Coffee and pastries. Ambiance: Set in the retail space of a large building (apartments?), with outdoor patio and extended pew-style seating inside, the space is made small by the ample "kitchen" where the baristas work. Enter the narrow space (likely waiting outside when the line is more than two people deep), and place orders at the counter. Be prepared for a hint of pretension and righteousness, especially if you decide to peruse the menu and ask questions. This is the coffee shop for the 1% elitist coffee snobs, with minimalist decor, as would be expected. What I ordered: I opted not to order anything, as it was too late in the day for coffee for me, but I sampled my sister's cortado, which was smooth and rich and beautiful. My kids ordered steamed milks, and our friends selected various espresso-based beverages as well. What I loved: The simplicity of an enjoyed cup of espresso at the perfect time. Why I loved it: Slightly off the beaten path, with a surprise of delightfully tasty and well-prepared espresso. Cost: High read more

Cardoon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Blown away by this adorable café in the Ballard Yards. They've got lots of bar seating and cute little bench tables. The decor/vibe is so crisp yet colorful. Order at the register then find a seat to settle. You can people watch as you sip on a uniquely flavored Shanghai fog. We personally were in love with the sweet brick toast (cinnamon and custard go so well together). The egg and cheese sandwich was served hot and had great contrasting texture with the sesame bread on which it's served. read more

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There are plenty of coffee spots and this one stood out as one that's Chinese + German influenced. The most popular drink is the seaweed latte which has a nice savory combination with your usual latte, and it is quite delicious. The other one recommended was the yuzu vanilla espresso tonic which is quite interesting - slightly carbonated and a little tangy. I wished there was more yuzu flavor for it, but it was otherwise a nice drink. The brick toast we wanted was out at 2pm when we went, so we will come back to try that plus the Shanghai Fog that we considered getting but 2 of us wouldn't have been able to try all 3 of the drinks of our interest on the menu read more

Cardoon - Yuzu vanilla espresso tonic, seaweed latte - IG @bougiefoodieboi - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I got a latte. Really good! Great syrup options. I got the seasonal spiced sweet potato latte. It was really nice! Really interesting flavor with a lot of depth. I like that they've put effort into curating their syrups as well as their espresso shots. I believe their syrups are house-made - which is basically a MUST in 2026. If a coffee shop has Torani, I would rather leave than buy a latte from there. Torani, Monin, etc., are all too low effort - I could have that at home (but I don't even use those syrups at home). Hopefully I'm not the only one who thinks this way! The environment was okay. More cramped than I would like, but not so bad. Service was alright. I had very little interaction with the barista, so it wasn't an incredibly significant part of my visit. Overall, even though I only had a latte, I would recommend this place. I want to go back and try another thing from their menu - so that's a good sign! Hope this review helps! read more

Very popular spot on the weekend. Excellent hot chocolate ( lava hot chocolate) and coffee. Very interesting food too but all out by the time we got in, got to try their cookie which was 10/10 ( same flavours as the hot chocolate ) Service was fast, ambiance was great if you found a seat which we did read more

Stopped by on Yelp's recommendation during my business trip - what a find! Their signature seaweed latte is surprisingly delicious, and the lava chocolate chip cookie is pure indulgence. Perfect spot for: Unique coffee creations Quick bites (loved the egg & cheese sandwich!) Productive work sessions Already planning my next visit - 5 stars for creativity and vibe! read more

Cardoon - Delicious - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

First of all, thanks to Jennifer H (@themajesticjen) & Wendy K (@wen98107), Ballard residents, fellow Yelp Elites and IGers who put this on my radar screen while I was scrolling at another indie cafe (3/16/24). Traffic bit on this late sunny Saturday afternoon trying to get from Queen Anne to Ballard, but miraculously I found a parking spot directly across the street. Bonus: I managed not to get run over crossing NW Market Street, just west of 24th. Cardoon is located at street level of the new Ballard Flats apartment complex. Turns out this was their first business day at this new location after running the cafe site at the nearby National Nordic Museum. It was great to savor and hangout onsite during the last hour before closing. Very relaxing vibe. Other initial impressions: Lovely interior design and decor. Lots of natural light. Healthy, thriving plants. Pleasant overhead music playing. Ample wrap around banquette, bar, and counter window seating. Coffee beans from Kuma. Delicious, small batch onsite baked goods with Chinese and German influences. Welcoming counter person, perhaps one of the owners? Overheard that their food & beverage program is still being rolled out, so more good things to anticipate with future visits. The raspberry streusel kuchen ($5) literally transported me back to my time as an exchange student in 1981 Germany. Something similar that my host sister's oma served warm from the oven. The Yuzu Vanilla Espresso Tonic ($6.50) was recommended by the counter person. This was spot-on perfect and consumed on this warmer than normal late winter day. This was crafted with two shots of espresso, yuzu, vanilla simple syrup, tonic water, and served iced. Bright and refreshing! I know I'll be back to explore their food/beverage menu fully. Definitely recommended! read more

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Wow, Cardoon is a tasty spot with a lovely aesthetic and friendly service. Everyone working here was so nice and provided recommendations as needed. Seaweed latte with oat milk: described as "like a salted caramel latte with more umami." This is probably one of my favorite latte flavors right now where there's a subtle seaweed flavor and slight sweetness. highly recommend! Honey cake: moisssssst with great flavor of honey throughout Lava cookie: chocolate chunk cookie with salted anise caramel, was a little skeptical at first because I'm not a huge lover of black licorice but recommend trying it, it's not overpowering and goes great with a latte read more

Cardoon - Yuzu vanilla espresso tonic, honey cake, seaweed latte, chocolate chunk cookie with caramel with anise - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This cafe has been on my mind a LOT recently. They have everything I look for in a shop: top tier coffee options, fun drink creations, a good amount of seating to chose from, and food that is far from basic. I ordered an espresso roasted by Tim Wendelboe which was perfectly extracted, the egg and cheese sandwich that had a strawberry chili jam and pickled veggies which I couldn't get enough of, and a rose cookie that paired perfectly with the espresso. The shop has a lot of color and personality, and great retail options like wine, bitters, chai, and when I visited amazing coffee options from La Cabra, Loveless Coffee, Tim Wendelboe and Kuma coffee. On top of everything, the service was amazing. Planning on coming back again soon! read more

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This is one of my most favorite coffee shops in all of Seattle. Sweet potato latte?! Yes please. The people who work here a kind, thoughtful, helpful, funny and make the amazingness of the delicious food and coffee even more precious. Must stop. Must drink. Must eat. Must connect. read more

I love trying out seasonal coffee drinks, so I was delighted to see a new coffee shop in my neighborhood which offers that. The space is warm and inviting, I was greeted by the friendly owners when I walked in. The menu is small but interesting. They have a fusion of European and Asian influenced bites and drinks. I got the seaweed latte and rose cookie. The coffee was well made and the cookie was nutty and floral. They also offer NA drinks, which is a great addition. They are planning on expanding their menu, and I'm looking forward to coming back again and trying more stuff over here! read more

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i went here to work the other day and it was an awesome experience! easy parking, outlets, gorgeous interior, and of course, amazing food/drink selection. i got a delightfully airy mochi cake, as well as a perfectly velvety tea latte. i noticed the staff goes the extra mile for every customer, as well. i appreciate that they asked if they could change anything with the drink-that's rare these days, and makes me feel better about buying a 7 dollar latte. will certainly be coming back. read more

Tried this based on Infatuation's recommendation. The soy sauce caramel and seaweed latte was...underwhelming. Soy sauce can bring a lot of deep flavor to caramel, and that was just lacking here. The seaweed was an interesting touch. The food items were fine, although they were not correctly labeled in the display case leading to some confusion. None of this was a big deal. Unfortunately the barista was needlessly rude, which is a deal breaker for me, especially after I've tipped. I won't make it a point to return after this experience. read more

I stopped in at Cardoon after reading that they won the best chocolate chip cookie in Seattle from The Infatuation. The cafe was definitely busy with people coming in and out, but they didn't have a long wait. Service was great - they were friendly and helpful with suggestions. I tried the lava chocolate chip cookie ($5.50), egg and cheese sandwich ($9), and an iced oolong latte ($6). The sandwich was a great breakfast sandwich - kind of hard to eat as a sandwich, but flavor was great. The latte was just okay - if getting a tea latte, I would recommend not using oat milk because it throws the consistency off. The cookie didn't live up to my expectations - it had a nice kick to it, but the texture was more cakey than I expected and it's an incredibly expensive cookie compared to the rest of their menu. Overall, while I didn't love everything I tried, the cafe still had a great vibe and great service. I would be open to giving other things on the menu another shot! FYIs: they have a few seats outside and some seating inside, but it wouldn't be good for large groups. Parking in this area is street parking only. read more

Cardoon - from left to right: lava chocolate chip cookie, egg and cheese sandwich, iced oolong latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Coffee shop with interesting/unique specialty drinks and light food. I got the Shanghai fog which is oolong tea and milk and was good! Also tried the seaweed latte which was ok and pretty mild flavor. Overall, pretty good vibes and nice place to chill with some coffee. read more

Cardoon - Seaweed latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Been enjoying exploring Cardoon's menu as it grows. One of my favorite dishes is the Tomato "egg" Rice it's flavors are reminiscent of a dish my mom made. They recently have done an Apertivo Hour Thurs and Fri from 4-7pm last week and I popped in on Friday to check it out. i had a late lunch so I tried one of the three $4 cold dish offerings. The Sea Bean Potato Salad was so flavorful. I don't usually like Negronis but their alcoholic version is a smoother version than the traditional. It's calked Royal Retreat. Just making my way through the menu tried the other alcohol cocktail called Spatzett much like an Aperol Spritz last night at a pop up event they held. But my favorite of the cocktails is still the N/A Shiso Salty. Love the inventiveness of their menu. read more

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