A cozy coffee shop right in the middle of South Lake Union area. A perfect spot for a quiet meeting, or to do some work.

I'm not really much of a coffee drinker, but from my limited experience, this place has the best coffee in Seattle (lucky Amazonian sleep deprived elves). The space makes me feel that I'm awaiting a design meeting. Spacious, modern -the staff gentile and charming. It also acts as a rental venue for whatever events one has in mind. Excellent. read more

Fantastic coffee and a great selection of high end chocolate at fair prices. The peanut butter mocha special was absolutely delicious. Like a mocha with hints of peanut butter, though they scoped in a big chunk. My dog would love it. Really friendly service who actually asked me how I liked things so they could give recommendations to future customers. I could definitely see myself sitting here all day. read more

Delicious beverages, nice ambiance, wonderful service! :)

Meh... hot chocolate is waterly. Chocolati does much better. Not so fit as a remote workplace either.

Found this coffeehouse on the walk to work and stopped in to get an 8oz mocha (my goto drink when checking out new coffee shops). I enjoyed the smooooth blend of coffee and chocolate. The space is large and open with bench-type seating along the windows. My favorite thing about Kakao is that it's both a coffee AND chocolate shop. :) I would love to come back and try their chocolate drinks. read more

First of all, the chocolate and coffee combo would be amazing, if only I actually liked dark chocolate that costs more than a latte ($4+). I walked here one afternoon with a co-worker who recommended this place amongst the few dozen coffee shops around SLU. The coffee shop is really spacious, but since it's so big, the few decorations they have are overshadowed by the huge gray warehouse feel. They do have a bunch of seating and a nice pastry selection as well. I ordered a vanilla latte, which is my default drink to judge how good a coffee shop's coffee truly is. The drink was piping hot and took a little while to cool down enough to drink, which was torture because I want y coffee NOW. It was $4 for a tall, their smallest size. The latte was alright, but nothing remarkable. Expensive coffee is the norm in Seattle, but it still bothers me to pay an absurd amount on coffee if it's just OK. My Keurig brewer makes better coffee... I might be back to try something else, but with the bazillions of coffee shops in the area, I doubt it. read more

It breaks my heart to write a bad review of this place, but it doesn't live up to the dream: coffee plus gourmet chocolate. I have been there about 10 times; the first 8 times were great---delicious Verhona chocolate mochas, flavored hot cocoa...however, the past two times we have gone (separated by about 2 weeks) they have been out of Verhona chocoate. Wha? It's like McDonald's being out of fries. Like Starbucks being out of coffee. And sadly the older gentleman running the place cannot make a regular mocha to save his life. It tasted like one of those bad drive-through stands you find in rural areas with over-sweetened, bad quality coffee drinks. It's just not worth going there anymore. Sad, sad, sad... read more

Killer chocolate. I'm not an expert, but I regularly drink cafe mocha's. This was the best I've ever tasted, and served in a real porcelain mug. Wouldn't recommend the food - quiche was soggy and half microwaved - but decor and coffee deliver 5 stars read more

Gave me two free drinks simply coz I looked like I had a long day. Owner is super cool.

Chocolate and coffee are ordinarily a heavenly match, and I really like moonstruck in particular (they make super unique stuff while still tasting great etc), BUT... HERKIMER? AGH That is awful coffee, and I didn't realize it when I stumbled in and ordered--I was lured in by a pretty place with a name just a few whiskers short of cat level divinity... My mocha tasted rancid, and while yes, you can kind of drown the coffee flavor out (if you don't do doubles like I LOVE doing with lighthouse and stumptown! That said, I didn't double here since I wasn't running on empty) with enough breve and chocolate... but that defeats the purpose. So disappointing! Guys, if you want stellar drinks, get stellar espresso. You've got a lot going for you, but heck, even Chocolati uses lighthouse roasters so while their chocolate's pretty sickly sweet and uninspired, at least I can always get coffee that will make even meh chocolate seem tantalizing, cause a great coffee bean can make up for excess sugar in chocolate, but nothing can make up for bad coffee, NOTHING. (except great coffee applied immediately as salve to heal the taste bud inflammation of mega-ick) It's also WAY too costly for what it is. It's the only place that's reliably as costly as The Peak in First Hill, who use Stumptown and therefore still, even though they reliably suck at delivering me only the liquid and not the actual grounds, well... I'd rather chew good grounds than drink bad brew and that place has the advantage of everywhere around em using Vita mediocrity. I'll just get my chocolate in beautiful boxes at Chocolate Box, where I can get good gelato alongside to spoon or drink alike. In Lake Union, though, PORTAGE BAY... really, does this place even think it can compare with that beautiful place with its sustainable, DELECTABLE beans PERFECTLY handled, NEVER burned and always catered (breve, sure, no prob, not so hot--got a temp in mind or just don't want your tongue burned? Is that enough white guittard chocolate? Bit more, great, let me know how it is... super)... and they also invite you to amazing French toast and pancakes and stuff? Kakao, you're out of your league being near Portage Bay. THAT place knows how to bliss you out no matter your diet and in eco-friendly ways with all local farms for their yum... Granted, Portage ends up costing a fortune because every time they crank out a perfect white chocolate mocha for me, I almost melt into a giant puddle of smile and tip them ridiculously, but hey, bliss is bliss. Don't screw with my drinks by HERKING OFF with that burnt rancid bean! read more

Love love love this place. The ambience is great, usually peaceful and relaxing. I get the coconut mocha-- such good coffee. I love it there. read more

Fantastic venue (in front of 415 Westlake, which is an event space) - with a cool melted chocolate beverage selection that makes my mouth water. Will come again! read more

Always a good cup of coffee here. Great customer service, great location, and some good chocolate selections on top.

Great mocha. Coffee is really delicious. They have free wifi and a nice seating area. The atmosphere is very relaxed.

Absolutely delicious drinks, and a great assortment of chocolate! The barista was really friendly, and she made me a delicious soy hot chocolate, and recommended a sea salt chocolate nib bar. I will definitely be back! The prices are also lower than starbucks, and there are a lot of options for people who don't like coffee. Their drinks also come standard with two shots of espresso. read more

great selection of chocolates! I got an americano with milk chocolate and it hit the spot on a cold and rainy day.

New find in the neighborhood. Great selection of chocolates, excellent service and my coffee was amazing. So happy to support a local business rather than you know who! read more

Great calm place in SLU with great coffee and insanely good sipping chocolate. Nice for a relaxing weekday afternoon but they're closed on weekends for events, which is a HUGE bummer. read more

Sipping chocolate was delicious. The worker was really informative in helping me decide what to get since I was looking for dark chocolate that isn't too sweet yet not bitter either. read more

This is my go-to coffee shop for work and it is a unique and quiet place for all. Great coffee and pastries.

Pretty quick service. I got the hot chocolate which was good. I'm giving it 3/5 in comparison to the other amazing Seattle coffee shops.

Absolutely love this place. I will change my review to 5 stars when they are open past 4pm and I can stop by on my way home from work.

Steamed mild so thick the raw sugar stays afloat! Best latte I've had so far! There's hours are M-F but sometimes closed early so call ahead to make sure! They make a very good dirty chai, not too sweet! Also a lot of gluten free baked good options! Updates on menu is on https://twitter.com/Kakaocoffee read more

Great relaxed space to lounge, read, and hang out. I love the sipping chocolates. Great coffee and great service. It's a treat when you catch Brenna the barista working here! read more

Coffee is coffee but this place has an interesting take with some of its additions. Last week I had the Nutella coffee. Don't care for the chocolates but that's not because they're not good - I just don't like dark chocolate much. read more

Great hot chocolate but the past three times I've tried to go it has been closed for a private event, so I don't bother trying anymore

Amazing valrhona chocolate drinks, mochas and london fogs (early grey lattes). Their gluten-free brownies are worth tasting and the ham and cheese croissant, too.. The pastries are baked in house... read more

As far as a calm place to get a good espresso or chocolate drink, this place is fantastic! I just purchased the Groupon Now deal and got a cardamom hot chocolate, vegetable quiche, and a salad for $4. The food and drink were incredible! I'm not sure why the menu didn't indicate they have quiche and salad, but it should because it was very yummy. Also, the space is absolutely beautiful. There is a big room in the back that would be perfect for holding events (even wedding receptions). It's clean, uncluttered, and overall just has a nice feeling when you walk in. I'll definitely be back, and I'll bring friends, too! (Great, friendly service was also a plus.) read more

Good hot chocolate, friendly staff, lovely atmosphere. A nice place for a girl to spend a couple of hours cross stitching.

Great coffee!! Love the atmosphere and the staff is always extremely nice! Sipping chocolate is heaven and a must try! Great place for sit down coffee chats or just grabbing a coffee on the way to work! read more

Kakao - Mocha and Sipping Chocolate! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Addictive mocha, so richly smooth and not cloyingly sweet as many mochas seem to be. If you have had a mocha at Starbucks before, and then you have one here, then it may be difficult for you ever to order one from SBs again without experiencing massive disappointment. Super nice baristas. Cool, modern interior that doubles as an event and meeting space. For how modern and spacious it is, somehow it is quite comfy and convivial. A rarity. Even more so when you consider it's pretty much in the heart of the hub that is all the SLU and Amazon activity. Parking can be a challenge, though I've gotten lucky west of Westlake, and be aware that a perfect mocha prepared properly can take a wee bit longer if the line is long. Worth it. read more

Nice atmosphere and good service. Their hot chocolate is phenomenal (smooth, good combination of milk and chocolate). It is definitely a nice touch having chocolate shavings on the top. Would go again and would definitely recommend to others. read more

Everyone is always nice. I dropped my scone today and the barista let me replace it. Then I didn't notice when my coffee was ready so after a bit she just brought it to me so it didn't get cold. Coffee is delectable. Ambiance is super pleasant, lots of space, the best music softly in the background. Couches, tables, benches. Not too hot, not too cold. Get the ham, chive, cheddar scone if you don't want to have regrets the rest of your life. If I lived closer, I would come here everyday and run out of money. They have chocolate here too. read more

If you are a chocolate fan, this is the place to go. I personally haven't tried their sipping chocolate, but just the fact that they have them is nice. Their coffee is delicious and they have a wide selection of chocolate delicacies. Their flavors of the macaroons vary, but are always amazing. Nice relaxing atmosphere. It's a great place to hang out! read more

Stumbled upon this place the other day only to discover they were offering a groupon deal! Decided to try it out as Chocolate and Coffee are quite possibly the best things on Earth and I wasn't disappointed. Someone mentioned that they use ghirardelli in the mocha, we had one and simply asked for the melted down valhrona chocolate and they gave us the 72% dark kind! It was a great mocha! I feel as though I should give 4 stars, the service and coffee were both 4/5, but this place has so many negative reviews for such small issues that I thought I would help them out. Not only do they use good chocolate if you ask, but they will melt down any chocolate bar you want to make a delicious sipping chocolate or to use as your chocolate in your mocha. Not to mention their chocolate selection is amazing!!! Give it a try, don't let these strangely bad reviews turn you away! read more

Perfect place for a mocha, a unique sweet drink or a coffee. I like the lavender flavored drinks. They're always trying something different. Staff is very friendly and their space is great. read more

I have been working at Microsoft across the street for the last 3 weeks (and will be doing so for 12 more weeks) and have been trying numerous high end coffee shops around Seattle. Ironically Kakao is essentially across the street from my office, and it is one of my favorites. The baristas are super friendly and they know how to make a good espresso drink . . . pulling good shots and steaming the milk to perfection (my morning usual is a 4 shot latte and afternoon a double). A real find. . . .and very cool space. read more

Ands down the best ciffee in the SLU neighborhood! Great selection of yummy treats, and the staff are always fun and upbeat.

Staffs are super friendly, chatting with nice baristas there brightened my day when I was there last week. Good coffee, their chocolate chip cookies are tempting. read more