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    Sabine Cafe and Bar

    4.1 (425 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Sabine Cafe and Bar Photos

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    SABINE CAFE AND BAR ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Sabine Cafe and Bar

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    Reviews With Photos - Sabine Cafe and Bar

    Shakshuka
    Megan C.

    The atmosphere here is amazing! It is a beautiful space and perfect on Sundays when the Ballard Farmer's Market is right outside. As for the food, I got the Shakshuka which was well flavored with a bit of spice and served with pita. I wish the pita had been toasted, but otherwise it was all very good. For coffee, I had the Sevilla latte. It was a bit sweet for my liking, but would be perfect at half sweetness. Definitely worth a visit! I'll be back to try more dishes.

    Krystle I.

    Came here for my friends birthday dinner and we loved the food. We sat outside and the vibe was cute. I do wish the flowers hanging from the terrace were real! There were a lot more fake plants than I expected. With all that natural light they could have a lot more real plants! Customer service was great and the drink options were fun. Would come back again.

    Outside sitting
    Jun L.

    We found this café while looking for a quick lunch on our way from our apartment to Ballard Locks. As it turned out, it was also on my son's recommendation list, so we were happy to give it a try. The charming outdoor seating immediately caught our attention and made for a relaxing lunch spot. We ordered the Café Mezze Plate, Shakshuka, and Mushroom Toast--more food than the two of us would normally order, but since it was our first visit, we wanted to sample a variety of dishes. The Café Mezze Plate came with an assortment of mezze, including hummus, whipped feta, roasted eggplant, green tahini, marinated olives, cucumber and turmeric cauliflower pickles, along with house-made pita and pita chips. It was fun to try so many different flavors, although the portions felt a bit small for the $36 price tag. The Shakshuka was flavorful but a little spicy for my daughter, though I enjoyed it. It came with two perfectly cooked eggs and two pieces of house-made pita. At $18, it was decent, but nothing particularly memorable. We couldn't finish the Mushroom Toast, so we took it home and had it the next day. It actually reheated very well and still tasted delicious. Overall, this café has a lovely atmosphere, especially the outdoor seating, making it a great place to gather with friends. The food was enjoyable, but the prices felt a bit on the high side for what was served. I'd be open to coming back if I were in the area, though it wouldn't be at the top of my recommendation list.

    Iced Latte
    Natalie N.

    pretty tasty, but overpriced. i make most of this type of food at home though so maybe i'm bias? extremely trendy buuut i'm not sure if i agree. don't know if it was just an off day or what but my latte was uhhh. not great lol. but they serve victrola if i'm not mistaken, which can be found, like, anywhere in seattle...? i feel like they're mid but that's not the restaurant's fault lol, but mayyyybe pick better beans. no real service. you decide your food in line and order with a cashier who gives you a number. you seat yourself after. the inside is very cute. it's decorated with mediterranean embellishments and knick-knacks. beautiful tile can be found all over. very nice outdoor seating, too! overall, a pretty mid experience. not sure if i'll be back. if i'm gonna spend this type of cash, i wanna go somewhere that's maybe a little more... ritz-y.

    Breakfast salad chicken sausage olives and grain bowl
    Elly C.

    Amazing food and beautiful location. Everything tasted fresh and I love an order at the front and sit down location. Would definitely go back if we're back in Seattle :)

    Turkish eggs and oat pancake
    Val E.

    Sabine is a very trendy restaurant in the heart of Ballard. We decided to go for Sunday brunch around 9:30am, and with the farmers market happening we had a little trouble finding it at first. You order at the counter (during brunch/lunch hours) then seat yourself. Overall I'd say you're really paying for the ingredients and aesthetic of this place. We ordered the Oat pancake and turkish eggs, and were still pretty hungry afterwards. The oat pancake was delicious and perfectly moist, crispy, and flavorful, I would come back here just for that. The turkish eggs were good too, the whipped feta was very tangy and delicious. I almost felt like I could eat both of these dishes as 1 person. That being said, if you're a party of 2, order 3 entrees. Lol. I would definitely come back here for a special occasion, but not for a regular hearty breakfast. I think our bill was about $45 + tip just for the 2 entrees without drinks.

    Flatbread
    Christa K.

    Had a great time at Sabine yesterday! First time in Seattle and we're in the Ballard area. We sat at the bar for a quick drink and Lucked out to hit happy hour. Our bartender was quick to offer a menu and we decided on a French martini and an espresso martini and a beer. We also tried the harissa flatbread. Everything was delicious and flavorful. Cocktails were fresh and balanced. We also loved the vibe of the restaurant. The bar was beautiful and inviting. We would definitely come again to try more menu items!

    Chicken skewer is $25... for one.
    Adam O.

    Oh Sabine, how we love you but some things about you are shocking. One the plus side, beautiful space, always lively and bubbly with people. The backroom at evenings is always amazing. Happy hour is a great deal! Cons, some of the food prices. $25 for a chicken skewer? And $75 for three??? This isn't wagyu or sirloin, how is a chicken skewer this expensive? Once again, lovely space but some of the price selections makes you question them.

    Turkish Eggs
    Nikita S.

    A huge cafe with a modern vibe. Until 5 pm they don't take reservations you order at the counter, receive a number, and can sit anywhere you like. The patio is quite spacious and fully covered with heaters, so it's comfortable to sit outside. We went on a Saturday and the place was packed. we had to wait a few minutes to get a table on the patio. Since it's self service, the best part is that no one rushes you, you can stay as long as you want. I ordered the Turkish eggs, which were decent, but not memorable enough for me to return specifically for the food. That said, I'd definitely come back if I just wanted to hang out with someone without time limits or feeling pressured to leave.

    Nicole L.

    Nice, chic and pretty interiors. Service was good. Cocktails were a hit!! Food was okay but I think I had higher expectations. I read such great reviews and was looking forward to the food but I believe the breakfast/brunch menu is more popular here so might come back and try that! We got the hummus, and whipped feta for appetizers, and a plate of 3 kebabs (salmon, kefta, and chicken). The kefta kabab was very flavorful and good. I think the consistency of the hummus was on the runnier side and had too much oil. Overall, nice spot in Ballard. Highly recommend their cocktails. Parking can be a bit difficult just take that into account and get here early to find a spot.

    Roasted eggplant
    Celia F.

    I came here for a friend's birthday drinks/appetizer celebration. I only got the roasted eggplant dip which I will say did not meet my expectations. It was simultaneously too tangy/citrus-y and not enough flavor. Other than the citrus flavor, it kind of only tasted like peppers with very little seasoning. I was dying for more pine nuts, more salt, more anything else in this dip. You can pick between pita and veggies or get both. I got both. The pita was very good. It had good structure, wasn't too soft, and didn't crumble when scooping the dip. The service was kind and our drinks and food came out quickly, but we didn't get any water refills to the tiny cups provided. I got the sense they were a bit annoyed that we didn't order entrees. Ambiance was very nice. We sat outside. It's decorated with some nice plants and greenery. I have heard that this place is very good when it comes to breakfast, so maybe I need to come back one morning and will post a check-in ;)

    Eggplant schnitzel
    Jing C.

    Decent happy hour spot - although I am not super dazzled by the food. Would still recommend for groups and brunch though. The espresso martini is delicious so is the 146 moons n/a mocktail. Among the dishes, the eggplant schnitzel is amazing and I would go back just for that. The little gem Cesar on the HH menu for $10 is probably the best value. The halibut kebab is good too but a tad pricy. I also enjoyed the service - attentive but not overbearing.

    Mojdeh S.

    How I heard of this place: A friend recommended Sabine as her husband's favorite place for coffee, as well as the intriguing Mediterranean inspired brunch. So we gave it a go! Type of cuisine: "Since opening our doors in 2020, our mission has been clear: create a community gathering space centered around espresso, fresh and inspiring food, and simply delicious cocktails. our dedication to supporting local farms, foragers, and producers showcases the bounty of the northwest, while using in-season and organic ingredients gives life to our Mediterranean inspired menu." Ambiance: Loud, bustling, and completely disorganized and discombobulated. The signage - especially for first-timers - is badly situated for guidance on how to enter, order, be seated. The line is haphazard, with patrons pushing past to get to the front of the line, others rushing to find seats before ordering, taking up space that someone with food might like to sit, and just an unfriendly entry altogether. The space, in the old Bastille, is bright and large, spacious though cramped with people hustling in every which direction only thinking of themselves, without care or attention to others. The patio space is bright and nice, though, again, lacks seating for patrons waiting to order as previous patrons comfortably linger over large, relaxed mealtimes. Servers are completely out of their element, placing silverware and napkins on unoccupied tables, while patrons with food - who had requested silverware - were left to wait until more could be washed/readied from kitchen. Employees spent more time talking amongst themselves then tending to the ordering customers or those awaiting their beverages at the espresso counter. What I ordered: At our table of six, we had an order of the Oat Skillet Pancake - rolled oats, chia, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, date butter, pistachio dukkah, maple syrup; Turkish Eggs - whipped feta, fried farm eggs*, arugula, avocado, seeds, aleppo butter, como bread; Halloumi Egg Sandwich - bacon, fried halloumi cheese, fried farm egg*, arugula, harissa aioli*, brioche bun; and the Classic Fried Egg Sandwich - fried farm egg*, fontina, za'atar tomato, arugula, caramelized onion aioli*, como bread with the addition of bacon ($4 additional) and avocado (additional $3). We also shared two sides of bacon - pure valley pork bacon, and two orders of Za'atar Potatoes - fried yukon gold potatoes, apple cider vinegar, za'atar. I also selected the Sevilla - espresso, milk, chocolate and orange (but there was no orange anywhere to be found). What I loved: The table favorites were the Halloumi Sandwich and Potatoes. The oat pancake, while dense and thick, and difficult for one person (even one with a hearty appetite) to finish, tasted nice. The Turkish Eggs were minimal and over-priced, but tasted nice. Why I loved it: I wouldn't say I "loved" the place. The food was tasty, but most everything else about the experience would keep us from returning. Cost: High, over-priced.

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    Sabine Cafe and Bar Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sabine Cafe and Bar

    Is there a parking lot nearby?

    There are a few paid parking lots you can park at. But it is Ballard and this is on a busy street. You'll have to walk a bit.They also have plenty of street parking/ free parking.

    Hi, question about the table mimosas. Are they bottomless? Is that what it means by table mimosa? Thank you Katie

    I have seen people with a bottle bubbly and a pitcher of juice at the table. I'd guess that's what it means.

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    Stumbletown

    Stumbletown

    4.3
    (227 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    We came here for the super viral Steak Easy pop up and it did not disappoint! There's a lot of…read morereviews saying that the wait times are long but I don't think it was that bad. We arrived right at the opening time and there was a line, but it moved pretty quickly and we got our food in about 30 min. As for the food quality, these were some of the best steaks I've had in Seattle at this price point. $15 for 4 oz steak frites is a great deal, and they really load you up on the fries so you get full even with just a 4 oz steak. The steak is cooked perfectly edge to edge pink since it's sous vide. They get a nice sear on the outside so you still develop a good crust and deep flavor. It's super tender and I love the fat cap adding a beefier richness. The best sauce by far was the Sichuan Au Poivre. It was creamy, rich, and had a light citrusy peppercorn flavor. The highlight was this sauce with the fries. The sauce soaking into the beefy tallowy frites was amazing. My only complaint is I wish it had a stronger peppercorn flavor. I also liked the duck breast with the au Poivre sauce (maybe even more than the steak).

    My review is for the steak frite pop up. It's way overhyped IMO. I was very excited to try this…read moreplace so I was pretty disappointed when it was subpar. We came right when they open and was 14th in line. The guy took our orders and then we find a seat and wait for our food to come out. It still took about 10-15 minutes before food came out so it can be a wait for those that were still in line. The place filled up fast and it was busy and lively. I was actually very excited to try the duck, but they said there was no duck available at that time so I was already disappointed, even though it was on their updated menu.... We decided just to order the 8oz steak frites with chimichurri sauce. Presentation was good, but food was mediocre at best. The steak was chewy and tough, it was bland. The fries were fine, but nothing extraordinary. The sauce didn't do anything. My husband, usually doesn't like sauces had to use ketchup and mayo to "season" the dish... We ended up didn't finish and pack the rest for home and went down the block to get something else to eat. Maybe I came on an off day but it was not worth the 35 min drive.

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    Stumbletown
    Stumbletown
    Chilled Corn bisque with radish, Calabrian chili oil and smoked trout (trout optional but HIGHLY recommend)

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    Chilled Corn bisque with radish, Calabrian chili oil and smoked trout (trout optional but HIGHLY recommend)
    Essex

    Essex

    4.0
    (84 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    i know most people come here just waiting for delancey but i might argue this is the better…read moreexperience. beautifully decorated, amazing service. and you can get delancey meatballs here which is the best thing in the menu. cocktails are a touch pricey even for seattle but i'd go back.

    A nice little bar (Essex), associated with Delancey. It's clear that the wait for a table at…read moreDelancey is frequently long, and they have wisely separated the bar area, and made it independent, so that waiting at the bar (Essex) wouldn't clog the front entrance of Delancey. We ordered munchies and drinks while we waited for our table at Delancey. The bartender / server knew we would be headed to Delancey in 40 minutes or so, and handled things well accordingly. We got a plate of olives (tasty, great finger food) and drinks. The Yonder cider was good, not too sweet. The Martini was tasty. I had two quibbles: The first was with the pricing: the martini was charged as two separate items: 1) gin (I suppose the charge varies by the kind of gin or vodka in your martini) 2) martini (which is apparently the non-vodka or or non-gin part of your drink) While I'm sure this makes it easier to track for the bartender and inventory, as well as for charging, as a customer, it's a little odd to have a mixed drink be a two-part charge. The second was the included 20% automatic gratuity. I don't object to the concept of a standard service charge, I just wish it had been more prominently displayed so that I wouldn't have added a 20% tip on top of that (and my tip was on the amount that included tax, service charge and drinks / food). So, buyer beware ... the service is good, the ambiance is nice, the food and drinks are good -- but the payment / billing is non-standard, and can cause unexpected surprises.

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    Cloudburst brew
    Cloudburst brew
    Housemade Seasonal Shrub
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    Essex

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    Sophon

    Sophon

    4.4
    (139 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Everything was delicious! Lots of flavor in all dishes. We tried two small plates, the seasonal…read moregreens with salted soy beans and shallots and the tuna crudo. For our main course, we went with the pork belly and were not disappointed. Service was attentive. Food came out quickly! Lots of GF/gluten free and DF options! Loved to ambiance! Very cozy.

    Dinner from Nov 26, 2025 I have been meaning to dine at…read moreSophon in Greenwood/Phinney Ridge area ever since a Cambodian friend raved about them. I am showing my age by saying the restaurant is VERY LOUD, and our table was in a very dark spot in the restaurant. Oddly, they didn't have enough table lamps for all the dark tables. Our server said they "ran out". How does that happen? I stalked a departing table to take their rechargeable lamp. Anyway, my expectations were likely too high going in, and I was annoyed before even ordering, turning on our cellphone light to read the menu. The food is pretty good, though not mind-blowing good like the reviews suggest, and we had one bad dish. They offer varied Khmer dishes beyond noodle varieties, which is a plus. Go if you are looking for variety, skip the fish, bring ear plugs, and hope you have a brighter table than ours. Parking is street only. 3 Stars for the food, minus 1 star for the restaurant environment (unrelated to staff) The Food: k'tiss dip with crudités, $18 - 4 Stars We chose the marrow stone blue oyster mushroom option - p'set. The mushrooms are sautéed in Khmer seasonings, fermented bean curd, and coconut milk. The veggies are mildly pickled. They paired surprisingly well and a unique dish to try. kroeung kumeraage, $15 - 4 Stars This dish has an option of fried chicken or fried mushrooms. We chose the chicken since we already had mushrooms. Kroeung is the Khmer seasoning. Our server said this dish and papaya salad are amongst the most popular. Since we have a veggie dish, we chose this over the papaya salad (which looks great, too). The chicken is lightly fried, not crispy outside, super tender, and paired well with the kroeung aioli. trei chmouy tuk tei omperi, $40 - 1 Star The menu says serves 2 but not really. The is a pan seared fish, make your own fish wrap. We did not know we ordered a DIY dish, which is ok in principle, just not good to be surprised. The menu doesn't say so; the server didn't mention it. Luckily, by this time of the meal, we have acquired the little table lamp, which enabled me to see the long fish bones that had not been removed. FIVE of them. The noodles are a pathetic overcooked limp pile. The best part is the turmeric sauce. Do not order this dish. Epilogue: I happened to walk by Sophon this past weekend. I was surprised to see a sign saying they are temporarily closed to resolve internal issues. (See photo) That is never a good reflection of management. There is now a GoFundMe for the unpaid staff who had to quit their jobs.

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    Awaiting its opening back in Sept 2023 (2/2/24)
    Awaiting its opening back in Sept 2023 (2/2/24)
    Excitement galore. Lots of media buzz awaiting Sophon's opening. (2/2/24)
    Excitement galore. Lots of media buzz awaiting Sophon's opening. (2/2/24)
    Exterior back in Sept 2023 when I pulled over. Curious what was going to open in the former Hecho and Martino's spot. (2/2/24)

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    Exterior back in Sept 2023 when I pulled over. Curious what was going to open in the former Hecho and Martino's spot. (2/2/24)
    Roam

    Roam

    4.4
    (16 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Roam has become my go to neighborhood bar. We watched almost all the Mariners Playoff Games there…read more Great specials and Happy Hour. Currently they have Monday Night Football specials and the HH runs 4-7 with great deals. My go to food wise isn't on the HH menu but doesn't matter I almost always order it. Cocktails it depends what I'm in the mood for sometimes I just do NA options. What really makes Roam special is the team all three main bartenders are friendly and make everyone feel at home. Alex, Trent and Jonah are great, you can tell they care about the establishment they work for. Comfortable non stuffy space we usually sit at the bar but there is a couch and tables with stools available as well on the first floor which is where we usually hang out during the weekdays.

    Trent really knows how to create an experience. This place is seriously one-of-a-kind it's…read moreliterally the only spot I know where you can play basketball and shoot pool at the same time. But what really stands out is the mixology. These aren't your typical cocktails they're doing something really creative and unique here. I recommend trying the Hugo, Bourbon St. Fashion. Each drink had its own character and profile. The upstairs area is where it's at. The atmosphere up there just hits different, perfect energy that makes you want to stay all night. Pro tip: if you go on Sundays, up-and-coming house and EDM DJs to perform. It's a great way to discover new talent. I recommend dropping in on the weekend.

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    Elote cup and chips from HH menu and quesadillas from MNF menu
    Elote cup and chips from HH menu and quesadillas from MNF menu
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    The Ink Drinker

    The Ink Drinker

    4.2
    (18 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    I am obsessed with this place. I tend to just show up on the weekend without a reservation and…read moresaddle up to the bar. Cocktails are a bit pricy but that's to be expected at a book bar. In my various visits I have spent no less than 3 hours here reading amongst my people (other book nerds). If you love cocktails and books, this place is perfect for you

    Worst experience ever at the Ink Drinker. A friend and I wanted a quiet place to meet up and listen…read moreto high end audio gear and found this spot on yelp. Seemed perfect - cocktails, easily accessible, with tasty looking drinks and snacks. When we arrived at 5:30p on a weekend evening , it wasn't that busy, particularly closer to the bar, so we sat at a table with no people close by. In contrast, there were two groups talking in conversationally norm tones closer the entrance and window. After about 20 Min, a server who didn't originally serve us (apparently the owner) told us it was "quiet reading time" and just repeated the phrase in an annoyed, condescending tone when we tried to ask for clarification regarding what that meant (she seemed to intentionally ignore us despite by friend trying to flag her down 4 times ) . We subsequently asked our original server if our modified whisper level was acceptable. She said "yes" And actually kindly asked us about our hobby. However, the purported owner returned 10 min later , targeting just us (not the people up front who were talking louder than us at this point) , saying we were not complying and needed to close our bill (our drinks were not half-finished at that point). We asked if there was anywhere she could recommend for an alternative to converse quietly, and she bluntly and aggressively stated, "Anywhere but here" to by friend's reasonable question. The onwr then charged me double the cost of my 14 dollar drink ($31) , making not effort to reimburse me and stating that it was my fault for not catching this?!? Huh?!? The owner then proceeded made several concerning, microaggressive, racially concerning statements that left myself and my fellow attendee shocked and sick to our stomachs. I was blown away. I actually recorded part of this on video, but won't post it here unless someone wants a clarification. Next, the owner rapidly escorted us out, though my friend was not asked to pay for his drink. She told Me to "Get out!!!" , and mumbled something that I can't mention, as I am not sure I could believe what I heard. I have lived in Seattle for 24 years and have never been treated as such condescending and insolent manner, let alone by the owner of an establishment that frankly I was excited to check out prior to this debacle. I was looking for a place to gather quietly but apparently they expect you to drink in silence , which was never clarified to me. On top of this, the one person that we could tell was reading, didn't seem bothered when we checked in with her. On top of this, the one person that we could tell was reading, didn't seem bothered when we checked in with her. An older group and separate younger were allowed to carry on despite speaking louder than us (still conversationally , but definitely not whispering as we had been trying to do). Neither of these groups were individuals of color- which I bring up, due to the differential treatment we received despite all of us speaking or whispering in similar tones, and due to the words told to me that I'm having a hard time believing I heard - let's just say I felt "profiled" ... if you know what I mean. In summary , DO NOT come here if you value basic human dignity, kindness, or frankly, sanity. I do not write such negative reviews lightly- Feel free to check my other reviews, which generally are favorable to other restaurants and businesses , as I love to support small, privately owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Further, I've been YELP ELITE in years past , so it's not as if I'm not familiar with how to expect to behave and be treated in this community. Mostly I am truly sorry I ever set foot in such a scary, and hateful space.

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    Sabine Cafe and Bar - cafes - Updated August 2026

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