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    Karoo Cafe

    4.6 (37 reviews)
    Wed 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Thu 1:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Karoo Cafe Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - Karoo Cafe

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    Blood in Smoke
    Nicole N.

    got one of the Christmas cocktails I think it was called Blood in Smoke and it was nice and smokey with fruity taste. Love the lighting of the space and there's lots of seating very spacious. Service was great and I'd love to go back!

    Sangoma muti - boulevardier
    Nikki J.

    I'm so glad I found out about Karoo before my trip to Seattle - it was the best meal I had! The space is eclectic and comforting, sit at the bar, in some couches, or a high top. I sat at the bar & my Bartender was Lydia who was the best! I ordered 2 sangoma muti's and both were delicious & right up my alley. To eat I had bobotie & peri peri skewers. Man, both were delicious but the bobotie was my favorite. All the staff were great, the owner even came by & chatted with me for a little (and charged my phone). Before I left, I got to enjoy some live music. Definitely check this place out.

    Elizabeth M.

    Great speakeasy in town. The ambiance takes you back to that South African vibe. I love when they have an Afrobeats or RnB dj in the house. I personally think they should keep more of the rnb/ afrobeats vibe to the place. The drinks are fantastic and there are so many to try, this has became my go to pregame vibe! I do wish they stayed open longer on the weekends! Service has always been attentive and I so appreciate that with them.

    Cocktail menu 2024
    Julian G.

    TLDR: Great speakeasy vibes for a first date or girls night out. Not a place if you're a cocktail head. Drinks: If the menu i'm posting seems fine or even cute; ignore my review - seriously. If the menu I'm posting gives you some reservation - I feel you're correct - the drinks are what you think they will be, and you may wanna sit this one out. Vibe: - Staff is VERY friendly. - Speakeasy vibe. What can be better?: It's obvious a lot of care and attention went into the vibe of this place. It would be great if they got someone who knows and cares about cocktails to help them out. I feel the owner really cares about a lot about the details, just feel she needs someone with a refined pallet and some history behind them to match her efforts. Again, if you're not a cocktail head and want a great first date spot or have a girls night - you'll be very happy and feel i'm being way too harsh - opinions are opinions.

    Christopher L.

    Stopped back in for a revisit. The vibe of this place is fantastic to chill and have some drinks with good service. We tried several drinks this time and they were all expertly crafted and flavorful. Though there are no bad choices, the Bushveld Brandy was very nice. They also added some bites to the menu which made the experience more enjoyable. My favorite was the Peri-Peri Chicken Skewers. Definitely will be one of our go to spots for drinks and a bite downtown.

    Inside
    Rebecca Q.

    The most beautiful and cozy hidden space in Westlake Seattle! A spectacular view of the water and diverse selection of food items. Ordered a bottle of white wine for $35 and loved the flatbread bites and truffle fries. A little on the pricier side but worth it.

    Bobotie and fries
    Kealia P.

    The inside is really nice and has a cool vibe. The food was kinda unremarkable it was just normal food it didn't seem any different than most bar food Good stop if you are around and need a place to chill and the ppl are very nice

    Alexandra S.

    Such a cool and stylish spot! The South African-inspired vibes make it stand out, from the fun, flavorful drinks to the beautifully curated decor. Every detail makes it a vibrant yet laid-back atmosphere. It was pretty busy when I visited, but the staff handled it seamlessly! Check them out! :)

    Bar
    Diana C.

    The ambiance was fantastic! Very cool spot with fun but lux decor and some unique South African inspired drinks. They weren't too busy but the service was still excellent and attentive without being hovery. The cocktail menu is small but mighty. They do have kind of a make your own/bartenders choice option to keep it fresh. They also have a mocktail and wine menu too. Food is a small buffet with like sliders and Mexican small bites for $20 a plate but it was all meat so it wasn't worth it for me as a vegetarian obviously. We would definitely come back for the drinks and vibes!

    Joy P.

    as someone who's been to south africa and traveled through the karoo, i will say i had high hopes for this new-ish bar and i can honestly say that my maiden voyage went well and i'd advocate to come back with other friends (or even the same one!) , maybe even with friends visiting from out of town. there's lots of small touches that reflect the country, its culture, animals and geography. the names of the drinks and their contents are super fun and allowed me an opportunity to explain to my friend about how elephants get drunk on fermented amarula fruit which drop from trees and they end up eating; i actually asked the bartender to show my friend the bottle with the elephant graphic so she could understand more. the carpeting and pillows along with general decor elicit a very south african vibe. not sure where the wallpaper is from but when i sent my interior designer friend in durban some shots while we were there, he reminded me we'd visited the ardmore pottery place in the highlands of kzn and wondered if they'd acquired the animal print there? the bar wasn't packed last night but i bet it is on weekends. there's a great selection of drinks to choose from and a generally fun vibe with great windows that look out on elliot bay and across to west seattle. i bet being here on a summer night would provide picturesque views and photo ops! lastly, when you head to the loo (aka toilets) you'll see what i think is zulu royalty formalwear hanging on the wall. all in all, my friend and i loved our drinks and short time at karoo. i hope to run into the owner at some point to chat and in the meantime, i wish her well and continued success on the edge of the market in a well trafficked area of 1st ave. thanks for bringing a little bit of south africa to the pnw!

    Cindy F.

    Karoo is a lovely place to gather with friends - it's beautiful visually and very comfortable. It has several seating areas - a mix of comfortable couches, cocktail tables and standard tables and chairs, whatever your group needs. The employees are a delight. They have a full bar, with a list of delicious cocktails and cocktails. They don't have a regular food menu right now, but they have food pop-ups most weekends - delicious South African food. Another option is to order an array of yummy foods for your event - it's really worth it. I can't rave about them enough! It's a lovely cozy place full of amazing people.

    Midnight mamba
    Ashley T.

    This cocktail and coffee bar popped up a few months ago near our home and we finally decided to try it on our walk back from dinner - we are so glad we did! The ambiance of this place was 100/10. It was laidback, cozy yet elevated, and everyone we spoke to was accommodating, kind and added to the experience. The decor of this place is really the shining star. We can't wait to entertain guests and bring our friends to hang here, it is a very laid back lounge experience with plenty of cozy seating with couches and pillows. The music was also a vibe. Once you are seated they even drop off some light snacks: popcorn and chips! Another random note - the bathrooms were super clean and smelled amazing. The drinks we ordered: Midnight Mamba - I ordered this drink for the coconut cream! It was not too sweet and I could have had 2 or 3 if I was capable. If you're a fan of tart drinks this one is for you. Sangoma's Muti - this is where it gets really cool. You can pick your spirit and their mixologist will make you a custom drink based on your preferences. If you have no recommendations like us, they will just whip up something tasty for you. What they came up with was excellent. I highly recommend you try this place out. It is a fantastic spot for a date night or to bring friends. We will surely be back!

    Jessica S.

    Such a cool bar near Pike Place. Stumbled upon it and stayed for the cute decor and delicious drinks. It's South African themed and you can really see it in the details on the walls, the furniture, and of course, the food and drinks. Will definitely be back again!

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    1 year ago

    Staff was super friendly, and the drinks were great. The decor and ambiance is very nice. Will definitely come back!

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    1 year ago

    Great vibe, nice staff, and great food and drinks! Very eclectic decor, with a great views.

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    Deep Dive

    Deep Dive

    3.9
    (331 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    Deep Dive is my favorite cocktail bar in Seattle. The decor is incredible: Very speakeasy vibes,…read moreand every detail feels thoughtful and elevated. The whole space has this intimate, luxurious atmosphere that makes the experience feel special the moment you walk in. We tried the Japanese Breakfast, which is a savory cocktail and such a pleasant surprise. It genuinely has miso soup notes. It's very unique and creative. I also had El Boho (flavorful but not overly sweet). The staff are always friendly and very knowledgeable when it comes to recommending drinks. The prices are on the higher end, but personally I think they're totally worth it for the creativity and overall experience. This is the spot I bring all my out-of-town friends to because the ambiance, vibes, and drinks are just that good. Truly one of Seattle's gems.

    I've been here a number of times in the past and this experience was different and something has…read moreobviously changed...maybe they are focused on tourists more than locals now? For one, the bar service was mediocre for my $26 cocktail. I get more conversation from the bartenders at the Red Onion.... And because they bartender wasn't paying attention, he forgot to put our food order in....probably didn't need it anyway, I need to diet. And then we get the check and they automatically add 22%...if you are a quality establishment offering exceptional customer service, you don't need to tell me what to tip...guess you are not. And they they have the nerve to ask me if I want to tip another 18%, 20%, or 25% when I sign the check on their Toast device... I'll go out for a quality cocktail experience at Needle & Thread, The Doctor's Office, or maybe the Red Onion, lol. But I won't be coming back here ever again.

    Photos
    Bar and counter seating
    Bar and counter seating
    Bar inside
    Bar inside
    Tuesday Fresh Cut Mezcal, Afternoon Tea, Veridian Vallet, Anastasia the Third, and Pink Haze

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    Tuesday Fresh Cut Mezcal, Afternoon Tea, Veridian Vallet, Anastasia the Third, and Pink Haze
    The Doctor's Office

    The Doctor's Office

    4.3
    (95 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Friends go here all the time. This was my first time and it was epic. It's intimate, quiet and a…read morewonderful place to spend time 1:1 or with a few friends. It's not stressful and the appointments ensure you have space for your enjoyment. The bar masters are experts. They make amazing drinks. The creativity of the menu and the staff is worth a stop. The list of cocktail options is rich and the stocked list of liquor is longer. The blow your mind moment is the pricing relative to most other boutique cocktail lounges or a place like Cannon that seems to just look to drain your bank account. Great place to check out and keep coming back.

    My friend got a reservation here as a little surprise for my weekend in Seattle and it sure didn't…read moredisappoint. We arrived 10 minutes early and had to wait for our seats to be ready as the other party was still there. It's quite small on the inside, and I think it only seats maybe 16 people at max? Either way, we had a great time. You get a small cup of champagne while you wait/once you are seated. We each tried two drinks, and honestly everything was great. My favorite was the tart au citron-- it was sweet and tart and a perfect cocktail! My friend really loved the espresso martini-- I had a sip and it's probably one of the best in the city. Definitely worth a try and will be what we get again next time we come again!

    Photos
    Bar top seating area
    Bar top seating area
    The Big Board (charcuterie board) - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    The Big Board (charcuterie board) - IG @bougiefoodieboi
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    Firn

    Firn

    4.2
    (49 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Lol "interesting" experience…read more I came around 1030 after work, to meet a friend I work in kitchens. I'm wearing all black. Nonslip Docs. Backpack. Probably smell lol Lobby guy was nice. He says "I'll buzz you up." I waited in the elevator for a while. After like 3-5 real minutes I walk into the lobby and text my friend. "I ain't coming. I'm not fancy enough apparently" In that time, the Clerk noticed me. Apologies Profusely. I got up. Friends were really happy. Service was very nice and accommodating. Drinks are Top Notch My friends were giving a "Live Update" about my "situation" the entire time We probably got 8ish drinks. Paid for 3 They close at 11, I left around 1230 Props to Them A+++++++++++ Customer Service Drinks and Ambiance too, but we already knew that Props to the Staff Thank You

    views of this rooftop bar are amazing! and it was a very cute and interesting selection of…read morecocktails! 5/5 however the price point and service were not the best. firstly, they charge an automatic 20% service fee which is fine, but the service was just not worth that. they don't really feel welcoming or friendly but moreso seem tired and overworked. they did check in frequently but it felt awkward and difficult to continue our own conversations. 3/5

    Photos
    CASUAL CRUSH: mezcal, poblano, pineapple, firewater, baking spices, lime
    CASUAL CRUSH: mezcal, poblano, pineapple, firewater, baking spices, lime
    GHOST PILOT: overproof rum, apple brandy, absinthe, cinnamon, vanilla, bitters, grapefruit, lime
    GHOST PILOT: overproof rum, apple brandy, absinthe, cinnamon, vanilla, bitters, grapefruit, lime
    Rooftop seating

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    Rooftop seating
    Roquette

    Roquette

    4.4
    (135 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$
    Romantic vibe
    Luxury

    I booked the speakeasy at Roquette for my buddy's bachelor party, and it ended up being one of the…read morehighlights of the trip. We arrived around 5:00 PM and were greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable mixologist. While looking over the menu, he asked what I typically enjoy drinking. I told him I'm a big fan of an Old Fashioned, and he suggested an Eagle Rare Old Fashioned. It was, without question, one of the best Old Fashioneds I've ever had at any establishment. The balance of flavors was outstanding, and the attention to detail was obvious from the first sip. I was so impressed by both the drink and the overall experience that I asked him how he made it and what ingredients he used so I could try to recreate it at home. While I'm probably only 90% of the way there, I'll never quite match the perfection he achieved that evening. The atmosphere, service, and cocktails were all exceptional. If you're looking for a great speakeasy experience in Seattle, I highly recommend checking this place out.

    Fun specialty cocktails and beautiful space. A favorite bar of some friends my first time…read morevisiting. Stopped by before dinner near by. Always love finding a good craft cocktail bar. Staff is friendly and helpful in making decisions that suit your taste. I started with the Suede Umbrella, my friends had a Tuk Tuk Tang and Guavacita. Second round they had the Panic Button and I had the Roquette Martini. Well balanced cocktails. Extensive list.. would definitely visit again when in Belltown.

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    Expertly-made cocktails
    Expertly-made cocktails
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    Karoo Cafe - cafes - Updated June 2026

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