Unsure if this cafe is actually retro, but I do know it's a dependable espresso - and cortado - option near Central Library. Ample seating to chill solo, or bring a group and hang at the communal table. Pro Tip: If it's during the week and you look like an office worker, sneak into the gorgeous lobby next door. I've had tasty brekkie sammiches here - and fun fact, Retro introduced me to Secret Aardvark's hot sauces - the perfect addition to any sandwich. This is an embarrassingly overdue review (I first came here in 2022!). Credit accepted. read more

Retro Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great friendly staff and service. Very cool venue. My coffee was not very good though. I ordered nitro cold brew for 7 dollars (yikes). It was WAY too bitter and had a flat taste with zero complexity. It also didn't feel very "nitro" foamy either. Maybe the machine had some issues or something. Definitely not worth the price tag - at least for the menu item I ordered. Hate saying this but Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew is better than this. read more

My bestie did work from this cafe a day or two before he left Seattle and commented on the lobby of the place, and I was immediately intrigued on how beautiful and pleasing to the eye it was when I saw his IG story. Welp, I figured out after coming here AND asking staff for help on finding where this coffee shop is that said interior is actually part of the Madison Centre, and that both places are separate... whoops. Anyway, the cafe itself - where you can see Central Library from when you exit - has many tables for 1-2 people, and some artwork hanging on the walls, though it doesn't let in a ton of natural light that's beaming from the Madison Centre lobby. The lone server at the front counter immediately to the front of the entrance was very friendly, and made my 12oz iced spice mocha quickly. The iced spice mocha itself was more bitter than what I'm used to though it was not too strong either. The spice gave it a fun kick that I enjoyed a lot, and tasted like cinnamon. It gave the coffee a bold, in-your-face kind of punch without being too obvious. Overall drink was not overly sweetened either so I could enjoy more of the coffee. Both Retro's coffee and the beautiful interior go hand in hand when you visit. I'd be back for more of their drinks! read more

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Just a quick 800-foot walk from my hotel led me to this cozy little gem, and I'm so glad it did. From the moment I walked in, everyone was incredibly welcoming and easy to talk to, which instantly made the place feel warm and inviting. The pastry case alone was enough to win me over -- everything looked amazing. I couldn't resist the almond pinwheel, and it absolutely delivered. It was fresh, perfectly flaky, and packed with flavor. You can really tell they take pride in their baking. For my drink, I stuck with my usual iced latte with oat milk and honey. It was spot on -- smooth, well-balanced, and full of great coffee flavor without being overpowering. I also sampled both their light and dark roast drip coffees, and both were superb. The light roast was bright and smooth, while the dark roast had a rich, bold depth without any bitterness. This is definitely a spot worth checking out. It's the perfect place to sit down, relax, people-watch, and enjoy truly great coffee and pastries. I'll absolutely be back. Coach "aka the coffee guy" Berokoff read more

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Nice area. The staff was friendly and welcoming. Not bus when I went my matcha was made fast. read more

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I came at 11:30am on a Sunday and there were plenty of seats and service was fast. The interior was very cozy and the staff is super friendly. I tried a bunch of their pastries (in the picture). My favorites were the gingerbread cookie and the two pinwheels! It's a nice cafe to meet up with friends or get some work done (if you don't mind music). read more

Retro Coffee - pastries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Retro Coffee -- Seattle, WA Yes, I know. Still not a bowl. But caffeine is part of the training program. Saturday morning in downtown Seattle. Couples power-walking. Friend groups mid-laugh. And at least two mildly stressed basketball coaches pretending they're relaxed. Atmosphere? Elite people-watching conditions. Ordered my go-to: Iced Almond Latte with Honey. This is my control test. My combine drill. If a coffee shop gets this right, we're in business. They passed. And here's how I knew: They mixed the honey directly into the espresso shot. No syrup shortcuts. No lazy drizzle sitting at the bottom like a forgotten defensive assignment. Professionals only. That's coffee veteran behavior. The spot itself? Classic Seattle hole-in-the-wall energy. Slight hipster undertones, but tasteful. Not "I roast my own beans and judge you" vibes -- more "we've been doing this for years, relax." Music on point. Comfortable but not trying too hard. It lived up to Seattle coffee expectations. Which is saying something, because this city does not play about caffeine. Would I post up here again? Absolutely. Would I recommend it if you're in the area? Immediately. Rating 4.4 / 5 Açaí Berries Breakdown * Taste: 4.5/5 * Craftsmanship: 5/5 (honey integration matters) * Vibes: 4.5/5 * People Watching: Strong * Stress Level of Nearby Coaches: Elevated Current Status: Seattle Approved Pro Tip: If they mix the honey properly, you're in safe hands. Next Stop: Back to bowls. Always back to bowls. -- The Açaí Guy read more

Retro Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The service here was very friendly and helpful. The lavender chai was wonderful. They have lots of different milk alternatives too which is awesome. The decor was very festive! This was my second time stopping in and this will probably be my go to spot now when I have appointments in the area. read more

Retro Coffee - Lavender chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cute little coffee shop! The service was very friendly & quick. Atmosphere was bright & inviting. I tried a Lavendar latte & the churro donut, both were great! read more

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Very nice place, very good coffee and service Perfect place for work or have a meeting read more

I'm a pour over coffee drinker but I wanted to try something different so I tried their Cortado coffee with oat milk and it was amazing not sure if I can go back to a pour over. Service was exceptional and the aesthetics is what made it memorable. read more

Great coffee! I loved that they gave me a choice of light or dark roast for my drip coffee. And they left the perfect amount of room for cream and let me add it myself. Just exactly how I like my coffee experience to be!! Service was very friendly and helpful answering my questions about Seattle. Super convenient to Renaissance Hotel, literally right out the back door!! read more

A pleasant place to stop by. The hot chocolate was tasty, the atmosphere calm and quiet. Everything looked clean and well maintained. Service was polite and efficient. Overall, a good spot for a short break or a peaceful cup of coffee. read more

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This cute little coffee shop is just a few steps from our hotel. Once we got out today it was our first stop. The team members working were friendly and fun! They were a little busy but kept their smiles and were efficient and kind. We had a chai tea and a latte and they were really good. We shared an almond cherry scone and it was delicious. They surely have regular customers, they greeted them by name and laughed and made jokes with them. One customer came in with his dog and after preparing his order, the young lady came around the counter and gave the dog a treat- I was leery at first but she went directly back behind the counter and washed her hands with soap and water. (After my experience with the lizard in that restaurant that one time, you know I was watching!) I hope they are open on Sunday so I can get my coffee from there in the morning. I love supporting small places over those big corporate places when I can! read more

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soy matcha latte was pretty good, you could taste the matcha. I wish I asked for unsweetened because I like my stronger, but it wasn't too sweet read more

Retro Coffee - Matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great yummy latte and friendly staff ample seating inside the cafe as well as right outside within the Madison center which is a vibe.

I am honey matcha's #1 fan - and this was amazing. Definitely a favorite in downtown. The baristas were super nice and helpful when I asked questions about the matcha they use. The seating is spacious and has a cozy feeling - perfect for a coffee break or for productive work. read more

Retro Coffee - Honey Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Neat little coffee shop that was just a moments walk from the Marriott Renaissance Hotel we were staying at in downtown. Service was quick and friendly, but the chai and matcha we got here were just alright--lacking a bit in flavor. read more

Retro Coffee - Spiced Chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Coming from our hotel, this was a 5 hill hike! Omgeee. Seattle has the hills. I'm huffing it. Tucked into the side of a business building, Retro has plenty of seating inside, as does the lobby of the building itself, both overlooking trees and grassy lawn in front of the courthouse. Went for a switch-up from the usual: still a decaf flat white with heavy cream, but this time over ice. Took our coffees to the glass lobby that overlooks the Seattle Public Library - perfect view and a great compliment to the enjoyable coffee. It's creamy and cold, a great combo for a lovely Friday afternoon! read more

Retro Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The coffee was good nothing exceptional. It is a one time visit or if you are nearby. We had the latte and black coffee and both were good. The service was fast and welcoming. It is a big place with a lot of seating and the place is really pretty inside with a lot nice paintings. read more

Retro Coffee - Latte and drip coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The ambiance inside the office building is quite pleasant. I tried a latte, which was good, and I appreciated that they served it in a cup for dining in, rather than a to-go cup, which seems to be a trend at other cafes as well. Overall, it was a solid coffee, but it didn't quite make it into my top 3. read more

Retro Coffee - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Came here each morning at 6 am for coffee, as it was already 9 am east coast time for me. Had a quad oat milk latte which was steamed to perfection. Also had the vegan pesto breakfast sandwich which was delicious, and had a little kick to it. Their pastries looked divine but I didn't try any. Also had one of the yogurts from the fridge section which was good. For great coffee for an early morning start downtown, this is def a great place to go! read more

Hidden inside an office building right at the cluster intersection of Madison and 5th is Retro Coffee. They have some unique options drink options to make things fun; I went with a Lavender Oat Chai. Zola Roasters coffee being served with fresh pastries to pair. Friendly service even as early as 7:00 am when they open. There's a good amount of seating available in a high ceiling shop. PS: The baristas take music requests but within reason. read more

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Retro coffee was a cute spot near my hotel that didn't disappoint. The staff was quite friendly and fast on the rainy morning. They have 3 types of chai lattes, and I opted for the sweet chai, which was quite nice. I was hoping to get back to try the others, but it didn't happen on this trip. I really enjoyed the Morning Glory muffin - it was filling to count as breakfast but not too much that it felt heavy. If you're in the area, it's worth a try! read more

Retro Coffee - Morning glory muffin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Great coffee and service. The pastries are meh. It's in an office building lobby and if you get there after they've opened the lobby area there's a nice seating area with plants read more

Excellent beverage! Friendly, courteous staff, a must stop when visiting Seattle. Baristas offer suggestions and practice the fine art of small talk as they prepare your beverage. A clean work space or place to visit with friends. read more

Retro Coffee - Cinnamon topped Lavender Chai with Oat Milk. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great espresso coffee best I've had in the US for a while being an Aussie and a coffee snob Food is minimal ,pre-made and wrapped melts and rolls but the scones, cookies and croissant are all beautifully fresh ( no butter with my scone ?? lol) A few tables to sit and chill inside for working coffee breaks Friendly staff , not a bad cafe at all read more

Retro Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great spot to grab a coffee, eat a vegan breakfast sandwich, and sit and read a book.

I have had good experiences in the past with other baristas here, but today's experience was awful. The barista made the wrong drink, which was a simple mistake to fix, but instead he argued with me about what I ordered in front of the other customers. When he remade the drink, he made it poorly. I asked for chai, but it tastes like straight soy milk. I will not be back. read more

SO OVERPRICED. I paid $10 for a 16oz latte. They charge an extra $1 for alternative milk and another extra $1 for some honey. I originally ordered medium which is only 12oz here so I decided to get large but they had already charged me. The cashier said he cancelled the charge and then rang me up for a large but the payment had already gone through and shown in my bank too. He made a huge deal of it that I had to repay for the large size but wouldn't refund the other one because he said "well on my end it didn't go through" with an attitude even though I was showing him my bank notification of the charge. It was just ridiculous over a $1 difference to go through all that. Definitely recommend finding a different coffee shop that doesn't overcharge for average coffee and poor customer service read more

Decent coffee but service is very good. However the place had stale bagels, not at all fresh and very hard to chew. Won't prefer to go here again. read more

Retro carries Zoka, I think it's an okay coffee brand. I've tried it before in Bellevue. However, I really like the prebiotic probiotic drink from the fridge area. I'd come here again for the large sunlight area with the comfy seats. read more

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Close to the office and will go in once in a while for a pick me up back then. Honestly no complaint. Coffee was good, close to the office, and staff was nice. read more

Decent coffee. Only been once so it's not like I tried various things on the menu. Nice, friendly staff!! Good amount of table and chairs. read more

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I'll give this cafe 3 stars because it's a hit or miss. It's a hit if Rodrigo is the barista. Unfortunately, he's only there twice a week. It's also a hit if the black gal is the barista , otherwise I'll keep walking or just buy a pastry. I can literally see who's working from the sidewalk window and if it's not them working then I'll get coffee somewhere else . One time , there was a white guy working and he looks like the owner, he absolutely doesn't know how to make coffee. Maybe a good business man but definitely should leave the coffee making to someone who knows best . I say the same thing for the 2 white girls . They are so cold in demeanor like it's bothering them to have customers. Rodrigo and the other lady are more personable, they know Seattle and current events and small talk with them already lifted my spirit. For the price of their coffee, I also expect the taste to be good. It is good if done by the right people. Business people shouldn't assume they are also good in making the products. I think they should just stick to their office and leave the coffee handling to the 2 baristas I mentioned. read more

orderled 16oz mocha. and all I got 70% foam and the rest who knows milk and shot of coffee. I paid 16oz of coffee not foam.

Nice little coffee spot located within the Madison Centre building. The place itself is pretty small, but take advantage of the open seating next to it in Madison Centre. Great for grabbing some coffee and catching up with someone. Definitely recommend getting the spicy mocha (iced) you will feel the spice in every sip but never too over powering. The baristas were also super nice! read more

Retro Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Very cute cafe right next to the Marriott Renaissance hotel. I thought their lavender chai was a little too sweet and not a lot of chai spice but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. If you purchase 2 bags of coffee beans you can get 1 drink for free, so if you're visiting to bring back a haul of amazing Seattle coffee beans don't miss out! read more

Retro Coffee - Lavender chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Terrible overpriced cappuccino. Worst was the attitude of the person opening up in the morning- grumpy bad attitude, no welcome or hi treating customers like an inconvenience. read more

the aesthetic of this place is unmatched! great service! OK lavender chai; could have been a little better! overall i recommend!