Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Sabine Cafe and Bar

    4.1 (410 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Sabine Cafe and Bar Photos

    Business Info

    SABINE CAFE AND BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy

    You might also consider

    More like Sabine Cafe and Bar

    Recommended Reviews - Sabine Cafe and Bar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Natasha B.

    4.5 It is SO cute in there! The space is deceptively large and the patio is covered and heated. The bread is a MUST. Best pita I have ever had. Staff is friendly and cocktails are good. A little pricey and service takes a little time especially on a busy weekend. Will definitely be coming back to try their brunch!

    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!

    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.

    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.

    Ashlinne W.

    Sabine is just that girl! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner this place is it. We recently went in for dinner and were blown away by how excellent everything was. The salatim is the perfect appetizer & their kebab experience really topped off the night. Ambiance is cozy & welcoming. We can't wait to come back.

    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.

    I think this is like chilaquiles...no, it's garbanzo beans in a tomato harissa sauce...I think.
    Paul R.

    This is a great place to get out of the rain Sunday mornings if you are visiting the farmers market. Good coffee drinks and pastries and a pretty darn good menu of entrees that are made well and healthy. Nice staff and pleasant atmosphere. Just be aware that you must order your food at the counter inside the doors and get a number before sitting down. Etiquette!!

    whipped feta
    Kara M.

    whipped feta is so delightful. it's definitely a vibes spot and the food is good but not showstopping. can get crowded for breakfast and lunch. fun drinks! a little overhyped but i still go often

    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.

    Halloumi breakfast sandwich
    Dominique A.

    Came here with my partner for our anniversary brunch on a Saturday morning and it was indeed crowded, as expected, but honestly not nearly as bad as I thought it would be! The line looked intimidating, but it moved so quickly and efficiently, and the service didn't feel rushed or compromised at all. We each had a pastry and the tahini maple matcha oat lattes (so good!!). My partner had the halloumi breakfast sandwich, and I went for the grapefruit and labneh. Both dishes were outstanding: beautifully balanced, flavorful, and just the right portion sizes. Drinks were fantastic, too (though I was a little bummed they came in to-go cups, I was hoping for more of a big cozy mug moment). Despite the brunch rush (which I know can be brutal for staff), the service was excellent: warm, quick, and attentive. Overall, such a lovely experience and I totally understand the hype now. Can't wait to come back next anniversary!

    Fried egg Sammie & matcha
    Anjelica C.

    Food/drink - had the fried egg sammie and it was one of the best i've had. would def come back to try more items on the menu. Service - excellent. very friendly & helpful. Ambiance - i really love the ballard area. we sat outdoors with our pup. when i first walked in i just asked if it was ok for us to sit in the atrium w/ our dog and one of the workers actually said they would reserve a table for us there since it was filling up and the line was a little long. super nice! they even brought our pup a little water bowl. sitting in the atrium in the sun was super cozy.

    Avocado toast with sunny side up egg, iced chai, and iced vanilla latte
    Emi G.

    I've always loved Sabine! Every time I've gone, the workers have always been delightful and chatty. I enjoy many things on their menu, but my favorite is a morning avocado toast. The avocado toast is on high quality bread, topped with avocado that is complemented by a hint of lemon. You can pay a dollar extra for a sunny side egg on top, and I definitely recommend. I also tried their iced chai, which is always delightful. It's perfectly spicy and sweet, although I usually add a pump of vanilla. My friend also had an iced vanilla latte, and said she was pleased by its flavor. I recommend sitting outdoors, where it's a beautiful vibe and still warm with a fireplace and electric heaters. Overall, definitely stop by Sabine for a delicious brunch!

    Diana T.

    To the kind gentleman working the register on September 27, you have our hearts! We mentioned we were in town for a wedding and wanted recs for Seattle. He delivered! On our way out, he gave us a handwritten post it with a list of places. Thank you a million. Now to pivot to the food, chef's kiss! What CAN'T this place do? We ordered the turkish eggs and oh my goodness, we inhaled that. We were a party of 9 and sat ourselves at a long table. The decor in the restaurant was intricate and well designed. Will definitely come back the next time we're in town!

    feta dip

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adam O.
    15
    10
    98

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Natasha B.
    1
    130
    399

    6 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emi G.
    2
    9
    17

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Haley H.
    115
    12
    40

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tami N.
    22
    11
    1

    13 days ago

    Not sure what happened but ordered my usual Panang curry with Salmon and they left the skin on the salmon, nasty

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Erin G.
    0
    70
    82

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emily T.
    776
    1174
    2327

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brianna

    Brianna

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 11

    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.

    View All 3 Questions

    You might also consider

    Stumbletown - Roast parsnips. Coffee rubbed, mole, queso fresco.

    Stumbletown

    4.4(214 reviews)
    1.1 miPhinney Ridge
    $$

    I went with friends on a weekend for a late lunch. It was pretty empty so we got a table right…read moreaway. After we were seated, we were told that the menu was out of date. We each ended up getting a sandwich and sharing a large fry. The fries were good especially with the aioli sauce that was included for dipping. I got a chicken parm sandwich. It wasn't mind blowing by any means but it was a good sandwich. This is also one of the sandwiches that was not listed on the old menu. I don't tend to crave sandwiches so I can't give a better review beyond it was good. I would recommend getting the fries though.

    I heard about this gin-focused bar and restaurant from a friend and had to check it out as gin is…read moremy favorite spirit. It's not a common favorite for others, and I often find most menus to be lacking in creative gin specials. Stumbletown fixed that problem for me. With a dedicated menu for gin cocktails to an extensive array of different distillers, I was amazed. We enjoyed our cocktails thoroughly and also enjoyed some light bites. The arancini was a special of the evening and came out perfectly hot and crispy. The calamari was also fried very well. I did dock a star because about 80% of the food items on the menu were unavailable even though it wasn't closing yet. We did also get a little lost and ended up at stumbletown's sandwich shop before we found our way here. Luckily they're close by each other!

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

    See all

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

    Ruby

    Ruby

    4.7(30 reviews)
    2.0 miGreenwood, Phinney Ridge

    What a fun and friendly place. Very welcoming. Fun snacks made in the air fryer in the back room…read more Excellent cocktails with amusing names. Go on the early side as it is quite popular and seating is limited.

    This is a fairly small, hole in the wall, neighborhood bar with speakeasy vibes, though it is…read morefairly easy to locate the bar since the name of the bar is painted in a large wall. We walked in as a party of 2 on a Thursday around 9pm and it was not too busy - probably half the bar was occupied. We opted to sit at one end of the bar because the bar seats are where the vibes are at. The place is decorated in a fairly elegant and old school manner, so you are somewhat transported away from the outside reality. We got the Tobe's Thique Mint and Garden Party. I loved the creaminess and cinnamon afternotes of Tobe's Thique Mint, and it also looks somewhat pretty. It is quite a heavy drink, so one was enough to fill me up. The Garden Party was a bit of a miss since as much as I tasted the orange and grapefruit, it was a very light drink and tasted a little watered down. The biggest plus is that the drinks are fairly affordable compared to the greater Seattle area, priced at $14. I liked how their menu says 14 for $14, as they have just 14 cocktails to choose from and the drinks seem to rotate seasonally. For us, we went just in time to still have the spring menu, but they will change to the summer menu on June 20.

    Photos
    Ruby - Inside bar

    Inside bar

    Ruby
    Ruby

    See all

    Essex - Cloudburst brew

    Essex

    4.0(84 reviews)
    1.0 miBallard, Phinney Ridge
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Essex - Housemade Seasonal Shrub

    Housemade Seasonal Shrub

    Essex
    Essex

    See all

    Sophon - Kroeung Chicken Khmeraage ($17, 2/2/24)

    Sophon

    4.4(140 reviews)
    1.7 miPhinney Ridge

    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.

    Photos
    Sophon - View of one end of the bar counter. (2/2/24)

    View of one end of the bar counter. (2/2/24)

    Sophon - Papaya salad

    Papaya salad

    Sophon - Nhoam salad

    See all

    Nhoam salad

    Roam - One of my favorite salads in Ballard Taco Steak Salad

    Roam

    4.4(16 reviews)
    0.2 miBallard

    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.

    Photos
    Roam
    Roam - Elote cup and chips from HH menu and quesadillas from MNF menu

    Elote cup and chips from HH menu and quesadillas from MNF menu

    Roam - Sapa: Empress Gin, St Germaine, egg white, Tonic, Basil and cloud

    See all

    Sapa: Empress Gin, St Germaine, egg white, Tonic, Basil and cloud

    The Ink Drinker - My mocktail was fantastic.

    The Ink Drinker

    4.3(16 reviews)
    0.2 miBallard

    My boyfriend and I came here on a Friday afternoon for a reading date and I was obsessed with the…read morecosy reading aesthetic and welcoming atmosphere. When we first got into the bar, the hostess asked us if we had a reservation, I hadn't known beforehand that you needed a reservation and I said no. They told us we were limited to sitting there for I think an hour or an hour and a half, I can't remember, but I thought it was weird considering at least half the restaurant was empty and stayed that way the whole time we were there. But after that weird interaction to start, the rest of our night was so magical. Sometimes I would get distracted from my book just looking at the decor. I love how open and spacious the place is and there were so many cosy reading spots. I ordered Daisy's Downfall which tasted kind of like a cosmopolitan and was absolutely delicious, I loved the bright flavours and how perfectly it paired with the charcuterie board we got. As a cheese lover, I was so excited to see they had charcuterie on the menu. The pear slices and the beechers cheese were some of the highlights. My boyfriend and I had a great time reading our books and taking cute aesthetic pictures for our Instagrams. The only thing that kind of threw me off is that fifteen minutes before we were about to leave, a couple on a first date was seated adjacent to us and were talking super loudly. But I was still able to lock in and finish my book and I had a great time, my boyfriend and I definitely want to come back for more reading dates.

    Such a cool place! My friend and I came on a Friday night around dinner time and it was packed, but…read morewe were lucky enough to get a table in around 10 minutes. The inside is so well decorated and it's like a library x bar. There were a lot of people just hanging out - reading, crocheting, etc and it was a very pleasant vibe. We both got drinks and a couple of flatbreads to share. I got Daisy's Downfall, which was the perfect cocktail imo and just the right strength. We shared the asian pear & proscuitto flatbread as well as the cauliflower curry one, both of which were really yummy! I loved the soft crust and crispy edges a lot. Service was super attentive as well. Overall, a great place to hang!

    Photos
    The Ink Drinker - Cocktails

    Cocktails

    The Ink Drinker - Exterior

    Exterior

    The Ink Drinker - Exterior

    See all

    Exterior

    Brimmer & Heeltap - Grilled Whole Sardines with lemon and gremolata

    Brimmer & Heeltap

    4.3(688 reviews)
    1.0 miBallard
    $$

    Absolutely delicious. Probably one of the best cocktails I've had in Seattle. All around the…read morecocktails were great. I usually don't even like mezcal but this was eliteeee. The service was amazing, our server walked us through the dishes and helped us choose. The chicken came out looking a little unseasoned but it was the table favorite because it had the most flavor out of everything else. Looks can be deceiving lol. That potato's are amazing and a good side dish! They have a little patio as well with heating!

    How I heard of this place: Not having realized how long the establishment has been around, some…read morefriends suggested we give it a go for our Taste Buds Dinner Club, and we made it happen. Type of cuisine: "We never tire of talking to our guests about how we got our quirky name. Inspired by two British drinking terms, Brimmer & Heeltap seeks to celebrate the moments that exist between the first sip of one's libation and the last drops lingering at the bottom of the glass. Since late 2013 we've delighted in creating an environment that is inviting, lively, and comforting. A sense of playfulness is present in everything we do, from the inventive dishes our culinary team prepares, to the friendly, genuine hospitality we provide. We're a bistro that takes pride in being a neighborhood place - the kind you can escape to at day's end for a delicious meal shared among friends." Ambiance: "Located in the former Le Gourmand space in beautiful Ballard, Brimmer & Heeltap offers an intimate, cozy atmosphere complete with an open kitchen, full bar, and multiple sections to drink and dine in. Our garden patio is one of the best-kept secrets in the city, offering a dreamy place to dine outdoors during Seattle's spring and summer months. We also have a tucked-away back studio that offers the perfect setting for special, private gatherings year-round. Just how many pennies does it take to cover a floor? Just ask Brimmer & Heeltap's proprietress Jen who collected tens of thousands of them from family, friends, and the community to help execute the vision of a cool gathering placed dubbed, naturally, the "Penny Room." This dining room, beloved for both its wall of menus and its shining penny floor, is a favorite place to break bread with loved ones, and plays into the restaurant's blend of nostalgic and contemporary design. The restaurant was designed in collaboration with Sean Sifagaloa of KRFTWRK and local builder Mike Marian, owner of Marian Built. Light, texture, metal, wood, and floral elements are all at play here. This historic building possesses a playful, familiar charm that we wanted to preserve in its latest incarnation." What I ordered: Wishing to sample a little of everything, we were served, family style, two orders of Bread ($9 each) - buttered with salt and pepper; Fritto Misto ($12) - assorted, lightly fried and pickled vegetables with tarragon aioli; Smashed Burrata ($19) - snap peas, preserved lemon, mint, basil, sherry reduction; Carrot & Tahini Dip ($16) - caramelized garlic, feta, pistachio, crudite; two orders of Heirloom Tomatoes ($21 each) - melon, chevre, crispy quino, soft herbs; Crispy Potatoes ($16) - whipped feta, hot honey, mint; Mushroom Agnolotti ($34) - roasted maitakes, chanterelles, whipped ricotta, miso butter, thyme; Roast Chicken ($42) - chickpea, berbere yogurt, marinated cucumber, mint gremolata. To finish off our meals, we shared the Olive Oil Cake ($14) - basil yogurt cremeux, strawberry gel, and the Chocolate Tiramisu ($16) - mascarpone, rum, amaretto, candied hazelnuts. What I loved: Oh man, every dish was delightful. I found something to savor and repeat in each of the dishes we were served. From the sweetness of the heirloom tomatoes, to the creamy burrata, from the crispy potatoes, to the fresh peas and everything in between. Our least favorite, at the table was the mushroom Angnolotti, inconsistent from bite to bite. The presentation of the Carrot & Tahini dip was a bit haphazard compared to the rest of the dishes served, but the flavor was still lovely. Why I loved it: The service was unparalleled, comfortable yet professional and quick to offer recommendations for our larger party. The decorations and quaint spaces truly welcoming, and the food, excellent. Cost: High ($40+ per person)

    Photos
    Brimmer & Heeltap - Planning a celebration? Let us make it unforgettable! Intimate sit-down dinners; lively cocktail parties; we'll make it unforgettable

    Planning a celebration? Let us make it unforgettable! Intimate sit-down dinners; lively cocktail parties; we'll make it unforgettable

    Brimmer & Heeltap - Enjoy our delicious Half Chicken, with creamy mascarpone polenta, caramelized red onion, and topped with a green apple and habanero zhug.

    Enjoy our delicious Half Chicken, with creamy mascarpone polenta, caramelized red onion, and topped with a green apple and habanero zhug.

    Brimmer & Heeltap - Winter Salad: Crisp and local purple kale, shaved kohlrabi, Cara Cara orange wedges and a bright sumac crème fraiche dressing.

    See all

    Winter Salad: Crisp and local purple kale, shaved kohlrabi, Cara Cara orange wedges and a bright sumac crème fraiche dressing.

    Sabine Cafe and Bar - cafes - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...