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    Cardoon

    4.7 (66 reviews)
    Open • 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Cardoon Photos

    Business Info

    CARDOON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Cardoon

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    The bar
    Mary J.

    Cardoon is hip and welcoming, a great mix. On a Sunday, there was a line out the door, but plenty of seating inside, for both groups and solo customers. The cafe draws a young, artsy, multicultural crowd, which is part of its modern bohemian charm. I got a simple latte (very good!), but they have snacks available too. Check them out!

    Ami Y.

    I live nearby and visit Cardoon every once in a while. I was feeling hungry one morning and craving some breakfast sandwich type of food, so I decided to try their sandwich. The egg is fluffy and the sauce they used on the sandwich tasted pretty good. It was pricey so I probably won't go for it for another while, but I'm glad I tried it.

    breakfast sandwich, skyr with muesli and drinks
    Dominique A.

    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!

    Chocolate chip cookie
    Greta G.

    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!

    Andrew T.

    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

    Oat milk latte
    Greta S.

    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!!

    Jennifer H.

    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!

    Seaweed latte
    Isra A.

    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!

    Lava cookie
    Ella H.

    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!

    Water and straws
    Lyee C.

    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!

    Lindsey N.

    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

    Arlene S.

    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.

    Seaweed latte, oolong tea latte
    Green A.

    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!

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    2 years ago

    Service was great and the food was delicious. Everyone my husband and I talked to was very personable and passionate about their offerings.

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    2 years ago

    The coffee was fantastic and the bratwurst was delicious and an interesting combination of German and Chinese fusion. Strong recommend!

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    Great food (German-Chinese inspired) and excellent coffee. Friendly staff and cozy space. A true neighborhood gem!

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    Ask the Community - Cardoon

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    A very cute lowkey bakery with some of the tastiest baked goods…read more We tried the savory scone, pistachio croissant and the triple chocolate mousse cake. Omg, every single baked food we tried was insanely tasty. The standout was definitely the pistachio croissant! Loved the filling the super crumbly texture. The mousse cake was sooooooo indulgent and the scone had a great flavor, although they should cut down on the baking soda a bit. We also tried their Cortado and caramel latte. The ambience is a bit basic, but who cares when the food is soooo good.

    I stopped by Petit Pierre Bakery one morning with some friends because they were craving pastries…read moreand wanted to try a new spot. As soon as you walk in, you'll notice there's a huge selection to choose from, which made it hard to decide! I ordered the savory chorizo croissant, while my friends got a blueberry pastry and another sweet croissant. I tried some of theirs, and both had just the right amount of subtle sweetness, they were really delicious. My chorizo croissant had great flavor too, but it wasn't warmed up. I understand the pastries sit out for a while, but I wasn't asked if I wanted it heated, so I ended up eating it cold. Even so, I still enjoyed it. I was still a little hungry, so I went back and ordered a ham and cheese croissant, this time asking for it to be warmed. It was simple but tasty, although the inside was still a bit below lukewarm. Not a big deal, just something I noticed. Overall, I enjoyed the bakery, especially the variety of pastries and the cozy atmosphere. If you're nearby in Magnolia, it's definitely worth stopping by and checking it out!

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    Victrola Coffee Roasters - Love your latte? We love you - and sharing the art of espresso drinks!

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    4.0(323 reviews)
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    A household name in the coffee scene for nearly two decades, Victrola Coffee Roasters has made its…read moremark in the Seattle coffee scene through its various locations around the city. This location in Ballard has been a steady hub for locals, serving as a destination for a quick coffee run, an ideal coffee date destination, and a productive remote working spot. As much as I appreciate little cafes, I have an affinity toward places that boast a spacious interior as much as this one. With numerous tables and seating options, it's an ideal spot for groups. On excellent weather days, I think the outdoor seats are perfect for people watching along Market St. The plentiful outlets, fast Wi-Fi, clean bathrooms, and dedicated community room (#1) certainly don't hurt either. There is a lot to appreciate on the coffee front. heir cold brew was potent and refreshing during a summer afternoon. The latte art is on point. There is even a whole rack of non-coffee oriented drinks and ready-to-go food options like being at the airport. (#2) Food wise, there are a number of baked goods on display that include cookies, pastries, muffins, scones, biscuits, and a beautiful of range of carby options. While I think the lemon citrus bread and banana bread are tasty, it feels a little pricey at over $4 a slice. Since they've been acquired by Seattle Coffee Works as of a couple of years ago, I suspect all the locations will be a bit heavier with the branding and likely more consistent across the board with tangible product sales such as merch, coffee beans, and coffee making products. The service has been good overall and I appreciate their stance on coffee education. __________ (#1) Which can be reserved for various functions. (#2) Airport pricing too. Sheesh.

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    Everything you'd want in a museum cafe. Definitely had Scandinavian flair. We opted for the Pork…read moreTenderloin smørrebrød and the Salmom Gravlax. I was thinking I would prefer the salmon but hubs and I shared both. The Salmon Gravlax had creamy dill as a base, topped with pickled red onion & dill. Very tasty, very satisfying. Hubs was enjoying the pork, and once I tried it, I could see why. The horseradish aioli was the exact combination with the pork tenderloin. I think it was our favorite of the two. This was a great option after visiting the museum. Very enjoyable morning!!

    An amazing cafe right inside the entrance to the Nordic museum (no admission necessary)! They serve…read moreunique Scandinavian food like smørrebrød and pickled herring alongside staples like avocado toast and drip coffee. I LOVED my Stockholm steam (black tea with cardamom syrup, nutmeg, and steamed milk). Comfort in a cup. The star of the show was the Rømmegrøt, a Norwegian sour cream porridge. It tasted very rich, creamy, sweet and just slightly tangy with a velvety smooth texture. The generous toppings balanced it out perfectly and it was served in a beautiful Fortessa bowl. The presentation elevated the deliciousness. The staff also cleaned up a broken plate knocked down by a little girl and handled the situation with kindness and grace. Freya reminds me of the cafe Off the Rez at the Burke museum: a beautiful tribute to the museum's heritage and a way for visitors to experience its culture.

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