Have been to Picolino's but didn't realize that this cafe is separate and open during the day! Went…read morefor lunch w/ a few friends on a nice summer day so we got to sit outside in the peaceful garden in the back -- such a hidden gem! Can't beat the relaxing atmosphere. This place is counter service and then you take your number to a table (be sure to indicate if you want to sit in the garden when you place your order, so they know to look for you there). I ordered the Italian Trio Baguette as the cashier mentioned it was pretty tasty. It was just ok. The bread was too hard/crusty and the sandwich was a bit dry (I would have liked a bit more Italian vinaigrette flavor. It wasn't terrible but not something I'd order again. Maybe next time I should stick w/ a pizza, as I have heard pretty good things about them. The pastries in the case looked really tasty, so I think next time I'll come back and order a pastry (or quiche) and coffee. Definitely a cute neighborhood spot that I want to like, so hopefully the next time will be better!

Great space, welcoming and friendly staff. Happy to have them in my neighborhood…read more I usually only get a drink and sometimes a pastry. Everything looks delicious!

Nice stop for a beer & sandwich Outdoor seating is great…read moreStaff are always friendly here Lots of great brews to choose from! Food here is nothing to write home about, but it's overall a fine mean and the menu has a lot of options

Super convenient location tucked onto the main road by the Ballard locks. We stopped by for a super…read morelate lunch and each ordered a sandwich along with two soups to share. The main thing that really threw me off was that two of the three sandwiches that we ordered had extremely sour profiles. that was kind of the theme of this meal. The sandwiches had sour peppers in them, they came with really sour pickles, and the tomato soup that they had for the day was also on the sour side. I'm usually not one to shy away from pickles in my burgers, but the taste was pretty overwhelming in these and by the end of the meal I was soured out. fortunately, the Hershey's kiss they gave us after the meal really saved the day. for the price i wasn't super impressed by the quantity. but it's a very cute spot and I'm looking forward to checking out what else ballard has to offer!

Cardoon has the perfect cozy atmosphere for an intimate date with interesting flavours! But for a…read morepicky eater like me, the bold spices are a little too much. I was so excited to try the lava cookie as a lover or all things chocolate, but wasn't a huge fan of the cardamom. I think the pungent flavour definitely added a unique juxtaposition to the rich chocolate, but to me it was too reminiscent of taking the wrong bite of biryani and having to spit out a mouthful of spices. Thankfully my date had no such qualms and loved finishing my cookie for me! The crunchy crisp was his favourite part and he cleared the plate. My mocha was exceptional though, I loved the creamy texture of the milk and how perfectly the chocolate was incorporated into the drink! It was perfect until the last drop. My date also loved his latte and practically chugged the whole thing down! As a lover of Pokemon I especially adored all the decor, it was so cool seeing all the fun Pokemon cards and I just love the fun vibes and atmosphere of this spot!

Really cute cafe in Ballard with relatively easy street parking. The space is quite small, but cozy…read moreand there's a bit of outdoor space as well. I got the egg sandwich and a chai. Both were ready pretty quickly. The chai was spicy and not too sweet which I really liked. The egg sandwich was yummy too. Thick egg filling, with the chili sauce went well together. Pickles were a little too salty for me especially just to eat on the side. I guess you could put it inside the sandwich? But still, quite salty. Service was super friendly and welcoming, would definitely come again to try more of their seasonal drinks and food. A cocktail here sounds interesting as well!

Updated review: I…read morejust love stopping by Valentina's anytime I'm in Seattle! This time we ordered a breakfast burrito and quiche. Both items were delicious!!! I also ordered their Valentina's Latte-- my favorite!! It's the perfect balance of coffee and sweetness! Service was quick, even though they were busy! The only downside is parking, but that's not their fault. Can't wait to go back!

I was excited to try Valentina's after hearing good things, but it was a letdown. I ordered the…read moreMexican mocha, and it tasted like a lukewarm kids' hot chocolate from Starbucks. My husband even took a sip and asked, "What's Mexican about it?" It lacked the rich chocolate and spice you'd expect from a Mexican mocha. What made the experience worse was the customer service. The staff came across as dismissive and unwelcoming, and I didn't even feel comfortable asking them to heat up my drink. Overall, it was not worth the visit and I don't plan on returning. There are PLENTY of better coffee options nearby.

Try it. You won't regret it. As someone who lives in Ballard and has tried about 4 other coffee…read moreshops with in walking distance of this coffee shop-- this IS the best coffee in Ballard. No pun intended as their building says "probably best coffee in Ballard".... IT IS. It took me a while to try this as they are a little farther walking distance for me and they close at 4 :/.... But...... SO worth it. I've had the Vienna latte - iced and hot Salted caramel latte - iced and hot I'm an avid coffee drinker with out the flavors as well. I can tell they have a quality coffee. I haven't tried the pastries as I'm honestly not a fan of pasties sitting out and exposed to the air, but they look delicious.

Perfect cappuccino and soft baked French chocolate chunk cookie. Lots of butter in it for sure but…read morehit the spot. Prompt friendly service. Casual, neighborhood coffee shop feel. Great cappuccino breve, it's so effortlessly balanced in the profile that I had to say it twice.

Love this local coffee shop for those of us in Sunset Hill. Grab a cup of coffee and head to the…read moregolden gardens. The coffee shop is quite large and has plenty of seating. Also good parking availability

If you get one thing here, get the savory muffin! It's one of the most delicious pastries I've ever…read morehad. I got one to start and I got another one immediately after because it really is that good. I forget what's in it other than a lot of veggies, but it's definitely worth the $6. Make sure you get it heated up! The service is super fast and friendly. The cafe is cozy and is a great place to stop by on your way to Golden Gardens. Will be coming back!

This is your classic neighborhood cafe with a welcoming and friendly vibe. It's easy to become a…read moreregular here. I like that they make their own seasonal special drinks. I recently tried their Ballard Fog, their take on a London Fog, but with local Zen Dog Earl Grey tea and their own house made Secret Garden syrup. It was a floral and fragrant version that I quite enjoyed. It's a good spot to meet folks for meetings but be aware they close at 3pm.

Stopped in this morning for coffee and had damn near the best iced lavender latte of my life. Will…read morebe trying to come back to this cozy spot before heading home!

Everything you'd want in a museum cafe. Definitely had Scandinavian flair. We opted for the Pork…read moreTenderloin smørrebrød and the Salmom Gravlax. I was thinking I would prefer the salmon but hubs and I shared both. The Salmon Gravlax had creamy dill as a base, topped with pickled red onion & dill. Very tasty, very satisfying. Hubs was enjoying the pork, and once I tried it, I could see why. The horseradish aioli was the exact combination with the pork tenderloin. I think it was our favorite of the two. This was a great option after visiting the museum. Very enjoyable morning!!

An amazing cafe right inside the entrance to the Nordic museum (no admission necessary)! They serve…read moreunique Scandinavian food like smørrebrød and pickled herring alongside staples like avocado toast and drip coffee. I LOVED my Stockholm steam (black tea with cardamom syrup, nutmeg, and steamed milk). Comfort in a cup. The star of the show was the Rømmegrøt, a Norwegian sour cream porridge. It tasted very rich, creamy, sweet and just slightly tangy with a velvety smooth texture. The generous toppings balanced it out perfectly and it was served in a beautiful Fortessa bowl. The presentation elevated the deliciousness. The staff also cleaned up a broken plate knocked down by a little girl and handled the situation with kindness and grace. Freya reminds me of the cafe Off the Rez at the Burke museum: a beautiful tribute to the museum's heritage and a way for visitors to experience its culture.

It has been stinking hot, and there is nothing I love more than shaved ice. The Shorehouse has been…read morethe only thing to refresh me and cool me off. They have several flavors, so I thought how do I choose? But then I remembered and subsequently saw on the menu that you can have 3 flavors! The iconic Tigers Blood is one of them! As typical with shaved ice, you can get an ice cream or coconut cap. If not into shaved ice, they have a nice selection of coffee drinks. It's a cute little setup out of a Winnebago with some seating. It feels like the beach.

It is expensive for just a small cup of shaved ice. Despite the price and my request for a couple…read moreof extra pumps of syrup, the entire core of the mound was syrup & flavor free. It is a very popular spot for folks coming off the nearby beach but I do not see a value for money.