I was excited to come here and enjoy some simple tapas and speak Spanish with my family. I love the concept, and the intent. The service was also great, considering there were many people and only one server. The coffee was good and people were all making an effort to speak Spanish, which I very much appreciated. The tortilla de patata, was also fine. That was the good. Overall, the food, as simple as it was, was really, really dissapointing. First, they rely exclusively on a microwave and a toaster oven. This should probably mean they serve only a few premade pastries and maybe come fiambres and call it a day. But I did not realize this when I ordered churros con chocolate for the whole family. Instead of having freshly fried churros - the only way to serve these, and the only way you will ever have them in any cafeteria in Spain - they preheated some pre-baked abominations along with a schmear of cold fudge sauce in a saucer. For a place so infatuated with Spain to serve something so wholly inauthentic really surprised me. Is it that hard to make chocolate a la taza? Is it that hard to have a frier and serve up some fresh churros? That's what we thought we were getting.... The ensaladilla was also a poor imitation of a Spanish classic, with mostly mayo, hardly any tuna, and punctuated with a smattering of pale peas. Even the pan con tomate, jamón y queso was bad. I confess that I've never understood the Catalan tendency to grate tomato on bread for these montaditos, but Ole doesn't even do that. Eschewing this easy opportunity to use a fresh ingredient, they squeeze some cold tomato sauce on a slice of toast instead. Almost as bad, the jamon serrano they use is cold and presliced (meaning that the salt is brought to the surface of the meat), instead of room temperature like jamon needs to be, rendering it dry and hard instead of warm and tender. In short, Ole cuts corners at every turn, relying on premade dishes for nearly everything, a decidedly un Spanish approach to food. Seattle desperately needs an authentic little Spanish cafeteria where folks can get good, simple freshly made tapas made with love. This place doesn't even try. With all that being said, if you want a good coffee and to be surrounded by people who love the language, Ole offers this. And that's pretty good too.. read more

Little cafe with a novel concept. This is a 100% Spanish language business. Step inside and you're teleported half way across the world into a little Spanish bar. You hear and read only Spanish, and if you're well versed in the language, you will spot everywhere the signs of Castilian Spanish from Spain. Watching people struggle a little bit ordering drinks and tapas brought back similar memories from travels to Spain with one big difference. Here, the owner is also a Spanish teacher (there was a class in session in the back room while I was there), so she helps you through the experience without breaking the spell by resorting to English. It wouldn't be fair to comment on the food barely 24 hours after opening. We'll see how that develops. Their intention is to provide a rotating selection of Spanish tapas. They have no kitchen, but neither do many Spanish bars. The beauty of classic Spanish tapas (jamón, queso, boquerones, pan, aceitunas, etc.) is they don't require cooking. The key is quality ingredients and as they say in Spain, "poca floritura." Olé café is the perfect remedy for Spanish nostalgia. As I stepped outside and returned to Seattle, USA, I marveled at how small our world has become. read more

This is a lovely Spanish language cafe. Great events, yummy tapas and drinks, and friendly people. read more

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This is a unique Seattle gem. My partner is from Spain and when we found out about this place in the newspaper, we came as soon as we could. It didn't disappoint. From the Spanish language only atmosphere to the thoughtful decorations and picture menu, this place is perfect both for people who are actively learning Spanish and for people who simply want to try something new. 1000% recommend! read more

Ole Cafe - Ensaladilla, tortilla española, jamón con tomate - Cafes Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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So not what I was hoping to get out of this place. After traveling to Spain we have been looking for a good tapas place and one with Spanish speaking environment. They have the Spanish speaking down packed and offer classes too but when it come to food not at all the best. The owners main focus is speaking Spanish and that's great. But if you are providing a Spanish menu try to hit the mark at least with one item. The coffee and wine are the only thing going for them. They have games in Spanish and books too. It's very clean and cute. read more

Ole Cafe is a super unique gem in Seattle. This is a Spanish speaking cafe with traditional foods, games and classes to learn Spanish. The owner Amanda is very caring and does a great job balancing a business while teaching classes. The food is delicious and on point! I have personally taken two classes and have really noticed a difference/gains in my language skills. I recommend this place as a hang out spot, come for the delicious eats, game night, and the classes! It has a warm vibe and is very clean too. read more

Great fun place for a snack! If you want to practice your Spanish this is where to go! Welcome to the neighborhood read more

This cafe holds a special place in my heart. It brings me joy being able to walk into it and practice my Spanish with my fellow Seattlites! I enjoy the wine and tapas and Amanda the owner is just lovely. read more

Opening night tonight at Spanish speaking Ole Cafe - so fun! A room in back for Spanish lessons or a lovely cafe out front with tapas, cafes, and other treats from Spain. Well decorated and comfortable. We had Churros y Chocolate and let the kids order to practice their Spanish. Such a great idea! and the churros are delicious! Welcome to the neighborhood!!! read more

Great neighborhood gathering spot, novel concept of a Spanish speaking place in very white, very English Seattle. Some wine with my Spanish practice? Si, por favor! Staff is very warm, space is cozy. read more

We had an a experience this morning at Olé Café! This is a very cool concept where people can come and interact in Spanish. The owner is also a Spanish teacher, and the people in the shop are all hoping to improve their Spanish speaking skills. "No Ingles", "no moviles/no wifi", just Spanish! This encourages an incredibly friendly atmosphere of their customers interacting in Spanish. We were invited to play a Spanish version of Taboo (Tabú) with a group of others. It was a great experience, and we loved the cafe which offered Spain-influenced bites and coffee drinks. We ordered the tortilla española, hummus, pan con tomate with jamon & manchego, an empanada, and a cortado. Loved it all. Thank you, Olé Café! read more

Very welcoming ambiance to have some food and drinks while learning Spanish. No laptops allowed and interaction between customer and stuff encouraged. read more

Ole Cafe is a great place to practice your Spanish and have some tapas and drinks. I went today with a friend and my baby. Even though my babe was not happy when I got there, people were very friendly and welcoming. Everyone was also very supportive of all levels of Spanish, helping with a word or phrase as needed. A great addition to the neighborhood! read more

How refreshing! A café where you are fully immersed in Spanish, this quaint cafe allows those seeking to speak and learn without having to use their passport. They offer a variety of food and beverages, wine and delicious coffee. Amanda and her staff work incredibly hard, are so warm and very patient and encouraging. Many of my friends who are native Spanish speakers are excited about this spot too! It's truly and unique and special cafe. read more

I love this place! It's great to have a place to practice Spanish. The owner is delightful. I took a Spanish class with her and she's a fun teacher- perfect for an adult education class. I visited Cafe Ole soon after they first opened. There were a few minor imperfections such as an incorrect drink order (that was promptly corrected) and a nervous barista. Those small things were easy to overlook because I know how new businesses often have a few hickups to iron out in the beginning. I feel confident that Cafe Ole will keep getting better and better. It's already 5 stars to me! read more

I'm so glad a place like this exists! Not only is it a fun language learning school, but also a delicious cafe where I can finally practice my Spanish in a real-world setting. This helps me continue to use the language I want to learn, thus helping me become more fluent faster. As for tapas, I would highly recommend the pan con tomate and the churros con chocolate. They are so good! read more

Cute Spanish cafe! I took some Spanish classes in their back area. Amanda is awesome! Had a blast in the class and it was great to have a welcoming place to speak in. read more

Love this place. It helps me practice my Spanish without people losing patience with me and switching to English.

As a budding student of Spanish, I am so grateful that Amanda has opened this wonderful place. This kind of immersion you can't find anywhere except in a Spanish-speaking country! And the hospitality and the food are delightful! Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced, you'll find a niche for you to converse. Plus, there are karaoke nights, trivia nights, and in addition, the Spanish school is amazing. I studied there for several years and my capacity for speaking zoomed. It can be a bit intimidating at first,but don't let that stop you! Take someone with you at your same level, or chat with the wonderful barista Marena -- She's very patient and encouraging. You'll be back! And so will I. read more

Love this place! Such a delight to practice Spanish and eat great food. This cafe is worth checking out.

I've taken three Spanish classes from Amanda at Ole Cafe, and I keep signing up for more! The course material is thoughtfully designed to gradually progress upon itself. It works Spanish and Central/South American culture into the language lessons, which keeps the content interesting. Amanda is a proponent of diverse methods of learning, and is against rote memorization, which I appreciate. The class sizes are small, and I feel that I get plenty of one on one attention. But the thing that makes Ole Cafe stand out is that Amanda has created a real community - it's warm and welcoming, people are friendly and patient, I genuinely enjoy the time I spend here. I couldn't recommend this place more. read more

This cafe has such a unique concept that really works! The staff is very friendly and patient with novice Spanish speakers and the food is super tasty. I recommend the sangria! read more

I came for the Spanish language and the drinks and it was great. As a non-native and not fluent Spanish speaker I am always looking for a place to practice my Spanish language and be reminded of all the lovely times I have spent in Spain. Great concept and fun way to keep fresh on my language in a warm and inviting environment. read more

I have attended Ole Cafe to stay on top of my Spanish and meet other Spanish speakers. Amanda, her staff, and her adorable pup, Lola, are just brimming with genuine care and enthusiasm for this learning space. Anyone who has tried to learn a language knows that if you can bow out and use English, you will stay stuck forever as a beginner. So to have a place where the norm is to use whatever level of Spanish you have and not succumb to English, is a boon for any student. And way less expensive than living in Spain (which I've also done). (You can go once you've practiced a lot at Ole. And with a lot less humiliation and sideways stares from Spaniards.) read more