Cafe Allegro

Espresso bar · University District

Cafe Allegro

Espresso bar · University District

3

Alleyway, 4214 University Wy NE, Seattle, WA 98105

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Cafe Allegro by Mark DeJoy 
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Highlights

Iconic coffeehouse with art-lined walls and cozy seating since 1975  

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Alleyway, 4214 University Wy NE, Seattle, WA 98105 Get directions

seattleallegro.com
@seattleallegro

$1–10 · Menu

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Alleyway, 4214 University Wy NE, Seattle, WA 98105 Get directions

+1 206 633 3030
seattleallegro.com
@seattleallegro

$1–10 · Menu

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Aug 14, 2025

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@eater

Where to Find Seattle’s Best Coffee | Eater Seattle

"As Seattle’s oldest continually operating coffee shop (circa 1975), Cafe Allegro offers a historical local coffee experience far more accurate than standing in a line to crowd into a cafe at Pike Place Market. Allegro is generally serene, with a main seating area consisting of warm-toned wooden tables and chairs, local art set against exposed brick, and an overall collegiate bookstore-adjacent atmosphere that’s equal parts people studying and chatting. True to its historical origins, the coffee style here is pretty true to the so-called “second wave”: dark roasts (Allegro roasts its own beans) and an emphasis on blends rather than single-origin coffee. It’s not particularly hip, but it is homey as a frayed flannel shirt." - Harry Cheadle

https://seattle.eater.com/maps/seattles-best-coffee-shops
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14 Essential Seattle Coffee Shops

"One of the oldest shops and roasters in the Seattle area, Cafe Allegro has been serving up espresso in the University District since 1975, and some of the posters on the walls have been here at least that long. You enter in through the alley and you’re back in the grunge era. Don’t be a cob nobbler, put on your wack slacks and kickers and post up here with a laptop, away from all the lamestains." - Eater Staff, Mark Van Streefkerk, Harry Cheadle

https://seattle.eater.com/maps/best-coffee-shops-seattle-for-takeout-and-delivery
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How the Pacific Northwest Became a Coffee Paradise - Eater Portland

"Nathaniel Jackson occupies a peculiar and deeply Northwestern place in coffee history: He is arguably the world’s first celebrity barista. Jackson got his start at Cafe Allegro, an iconic ivy-covered coffee bar located just off the University of Washington campus." - Jordan Michelman

https://pdx.eater.com/22436234/history-coffee-pacific-northwest-portland-seattle
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Belle Wamba

Google
My favorite cafe to study at. It looks small at first but there is seating upstairs and in a room right of the counter. It has the best vibes, featuring a cozy atmosphere and alternative music. Every barista is nice and fit the energy of the cafe. The food is good, I recommend the pesto tomato roll. The coffee is also amazing, I like that each espresso drink has a minimum of two shots. I tried the house blend drip coffee and it’s super good too. Make this your next place to study !

Aaron Best

Google
A hidden gem tucked away in an alley. Cafe Allegro is the perfect spot to get a cup of coffee and work. Very cozy atmosphere and the decor perfectly captures the coffee culture aesthetic of Seattle!

Kyuwon Lee

Google
A classic college town coffee place, hidden in the back alley, vibrant with students and school professionals, serving good coffees and sugary stuff. Such a gem.

Melissa Reed

Google
Best coffee in town and I drink Starbucks every day and will continue to only because of the attitude of the employees the place is amazing. The coffee is amazing, but the people are ruder than I have ever been anywhere so starbucks win it by 100%. also, they’re scam is if you order a dirty chai, they don’t give you the shot and then they recharge you this guy should never work in public service and the blond from yesterday was just as rude

Caleb Westering

Google
Cafe Allegro perfectly captures the nostalgic heart of Seattle’s coffee culture. From the moment you step in, the atmosphere transports you to a classic, laid-back coffeehouse vibe that feels authentic and timeless. The coffee is rich and full of character, with a depth of flavor that makes every sip an experience. Whether you're sitting in to enjoy the cozy, warm ambiance or grabbing a cup on the go, Allegro is a must-visit for any coffee lover. It's a gem that brings the true spirit of Seattle's coffee scene to life.

Chris Lockwood

Google
Great study spot. the 5/5 is for the coffee. I think it's the best on the Ave and would go out of my way to pick some up before heading over for class. Haven't tried any of the food though. Great staff and spot to study.

Austin Kenny

Google
Cool location tucked in the alley way behind Broadway. Atmosphere was relaxed, mostly students with laptops. Coffee was good and the baked goods were okay despite being baked by sea wolf bakers. The prices are astronomically high for the food selections. $5 for a non warmed croissant and $5.50 for chocolate croissant? We ordered 2 12oz coffees and 2 croissants for $22? With the suggested tip your talking $25! We enjoyed the cafe but will pass on the baked goods next visit. Again, it’s a cool spot and the coffee was good.

minnim

Google
My favorite cafe in the world with happy memories from 2007. It's still kept its own vibe and atmosphere since then! Strongly recommend Allegro's special menu, mezzo mezzo (half coffee half milk, better in hot). This cafe is just the right place for mind wandering such as reading or writing!
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Mahika A.

Yelp
Wanted a cute place to just enjoy a beverage and read my book on a Sunday. This was one of the only places that is open a little later (closes at 6 PM), so we chose to come here. There are some small cute outdoor seating tables and chairs. The inside is decorated very quaint as well. I ordered a grapefruit juice because they don't have any matcha. It was around $5 which isn't horrible, but I wish they had other appealing non coffee options. I was mostly there for the ambiance anyways. My friends ordered strawberry lattes and caramel lattes. I think they liked it, but it wasn't mind-blowing. I sat outside for a bit and the weather was perfect. It is nice and quiet because you are in an alleyway. Just a couple of cars, birds, and people passing by. It was perfect for some peaceful reading time. The inside was nice as well with a retro vibe. I would come back again for the vibes.
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Ciara L.

Yelp
I came in a little like waaaaaa because the entrance is from an alley and this is literally a portal into coffee world. Best iced vanilla latte I've had in a while. Albeit it was $7 but the roast COME ON Got my drink and to my surprise there was another seating area behind the coffee counter. To my ULTRA surprise, there was seating upstairs as well. And all the nooks feel like different vibes. Not sure if I saw outlets so if you're in the mood to work until your computer battery is dead, this is perfect. Service was alright. It was pretty busy at 11am on a Monday so they just were locked in making my order. Will come back
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Emma S.

Yelp
This is one of my go to cafes to grab coffee and a pastry from before work. It's conveniently located next to the UW, and service is always quick. The staff are very friendly and create a welcoming environment. I love getting their chai tea latte along with a scone or muffin, and there are even sea wolf bakery pastries available. I've always done a to go order, but it seems like a great place to work or catch up with a friend.
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Amanjot K.

Yelp
I loved this cafe! It is a bit hidden so I wouldn't have thought of it but our friend who went to college here took us and their chai was AMAZING! my friend also got the orange spiced mocha which she absolutely loved as well. It's definitely student heavy and a lot of people seem to study in there which it's perfect for since it's quiet indoors.
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debby r.

Yelp
Just good coffee atmosphere Oldest coffee house in seattle. It just a great place to study. MEET UP highly rated
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Katie T.

Yelp
This was a delightfully college-feeling café (I am no longer a student and not from Seattle) recommended by a friend, and I loved it! Very rustic wooden interior, unexpected amount of seating into the back, and great season drinks to sup on while working or studying -- all accessible through an alley off the main road!

Mia G.

Yelp
both drinks were so delicious! I mostly make my coffee and matcha at home, so when I do go out and buy it, I love when it's worth it!! next time, I would love to sit inside for a bit. It looked so cozy!
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Allie Y.

Yelp
Cool place that nails the "artsy Seattle coffeehouse" vibe! Love the hidden location and eclectic wall art. I got their muffin and seasonal mocha which were pretty good and served quickly. Lots of people coming in and out, but there's a quieter room in the back where you could stay for a good few hours.
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Pearl W.

Yelp
A solid coffee shop that I come to more for the ambiance than for the coffee. It's definitely not the best coffee I've had in Seattle, but the drink options are solid and they have sea wolf and top pot pastries! Baristas are nice and the place is always full of students. Good place to come for a work or study session
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Mia H.

Yelp
best white mocha here. really good chai too. i loved the staff and there's a great hidden upper section of the shop to go enjoy your coffee and study. reasonable prices.

Ellie M.

Yelp
Great coffee, fun flavors, lots of seating, and good pastry variety. Customer service is a bit hit or miss, unfortunately.
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Jane W.

Yelp
This small cafe tucked away in an alley next to a bookstore gave me major Dead Poets Society vibes. The dishware is chipped and mismatched. Students were studying with a cup of coffee. It felt homey and unpretentious. The latte art is pretty. Perfect for those who want to rebel against the mainstream Starbucks culture.
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Richard P.

Yelp
I stumbled across Cafe Allegro one day while exploring the University District in Seattle during my recent trip for my goddaughter's wedding. Established in 1975, Cafe Allegro has a beautiful location that reminded me a lot of Indy's Alley Cat Lounge. It's in an alley off an area known as "The Avenue." It's a historic district with mostly older buildings and you can actually only access it from the alley (there's a sidewalk actually on the avenue, but Cafe Allegro doesn't have an entrance off of it). Cafe Allegro is home to Seattle's oldest espresso bar and a mighty fine coffee roaster. While it's relatively small, they roast on-site and import beans from small farms. It seemed like they mostly do small batch. They offer shipping and there's free shipping with orders over $30. The entryway was a little tricky as there's a modest incline and doing the incline while opening the door in a wheelchair was a bit tricky. There's an immediate coffeehouse vibe, though I found the people to be friendly. In fact, they were fairly full (with tables still socially distanced) but one table was separated so I'd have a place to go. I really appreciated that because I did really want to soak in the vibe. I actually ordered an iced tea. It was quite amazing. I can't remember how much it was, but it was a bit more than I'd usually pay. That said, it was clearly high quality and I have no regrets. They also offer some beer and wine options. I didn't spend a whole lot of time here, but it was one of my favorite Seattle stops as it really reminded me of Seattle. The people, both customers and employees, were friendly and the entire vibe was warm and inviting. There is signage clearly indicating where it's at - so while it's somewhat hidden, it's easily found and the locals definitely know it's there. I would easily return if/when I get back to Seattle, while I will also be looking at their coffees and/or subscription options. This is a classic Seattle place to visit and it's in a fun little area where I spent an awful lot of time as it was close to my hotel. I can still smell the wonder of Cafe Allegro.
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Danielle H.

Yelp
This is everything I want in a cafe! Kind staff, decent noise level, lots of seating for the space that they have, and open til 5 which is a total asset in the u district! I ordered a latte and then when I was still there an hour later I picked up a hot cider! The cider was slightly frothy from the milk steamer wand and that was fun. I really enjoyed my experience. Things that would bump it up to 5 stars but totally understandably missing given the pandemic: gluten free food options, wine, and an extra 30 minutes onto their open hours.

Lama G.

Yelp
A shell, a shadow of its former self ... one of those settings that has such a great history. Didn't Howard Schultz himself say he found inspiration for what Starbucks is to be like here of all places? Such a travesty it's all gone now. Regarding service, it really depends on who's behind the counter... if you're unlucky, brace yourself for some extremely frustrated staff... not sure what the situation is. Almost always regret tipping. It's almost funny! It feels like they resent your presence and patronage. You're lucky if it's the older dudes behind the counter. They're cool!
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Adrian C.

Yelp
Well, here we are in Seattle, the place where everyone says the coffee is the best. So I figured I'd search out at least one of the top quality offerings in the city. A little bit of research led me here, and I've got to say I'm not disappointed. Now, let me just also say: I'm not into cutting edge fruity new wave coffee. I like traditional, true espresso bars, and if that's your gig too, you will not be disappointed making your way to this place. It's coffee that tastes like coffee, nice and strong the way it should be. Nice, friendly young gal behind the counter too - no neg attitude at all like some other review(s?) mentioned. Seattle, ya done good. For your reference, if you've been to Caffe Trieste in North Beach, San Francisco, this is a comparable product.
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Celeste R.

Yelp
Great coffee and light fare falls available. The vibe is a classic coffee shop you can spend hours drinking by coffee and reading a book. The service was great!
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Hiral P.

Yelp
One of my favorite coffee shops in Seattle. They have so much seating and it's a great place to come study. They make the best London Fog!!
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Melissa C.

Yelp
Customer service suck they ingored us and never came to the table....discrimination who knows just definitely not our jam. We never complain....but this place sucked
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Orange G.

Yelp
First time hear and loved the atmosphere. Quick service, kind service, clean and spacious. This coffee shop caters to almost everyone and mezzo is delicious and frothy!!!

Mary H.

Yelp
Delicious espresso, but the customer service leaves much to be desired. I was waiting in line when a larger white man shoved passed me to get behind the counter, already not off to a good start. I try to order an iced espresso in a 16oz, but the same man tells me I can't order that unless I add extra shots. What? He says I'm getting an 8oz cup unless I purchase more shots of espresso, and I can kind of see where he is coming from in wanting to give me the least amount of plastic, but it's certainly not been an issue I've run into at any other establishment. An extra shot wouldn't even make a big enough difference in volume to need a larger cup, so trying to push an additional purchase is wild to me. As a barista myself, it definitely isn't a problem in itself if someone asks for their drink to be in a bigger cup, just don't fill it to the top and add extra ice if requested, especially an espresso that barely fills 20% of the cup. I ask him to add extra ice then, and he tells me he isn't going to do that if I'm just going to fill their cup with creamer. Where did he get this assumption? I respond that I was not going to do that and he gives me a doubtful look and rings me up begrudgingly. I ask what kind of flavorings are offered and he points to the wall of bottles behind him. Okay.. I am near-sighted and can't read the labels which is why I asked in the first place. I just go with caramel that most cafes have, but I was hoping to try something new after seeing the wide variety offered at Cafe Allegro. The cashier eyes me the entire time I'm at the utensils bar to make sure I don't touch the creamer. Is this how Allegro treats their customers? I wouldn't put it off the table if my race or appearance had anything to do with the way I was treated. So disappointed with my first (and only) experience at a local favorite cafe.
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Sara L.

Yelp
Friendly service, nice espresso drinks. Cool atmosphere. Baked goods are average (could use an upgrade). Recommended.
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Jamie M.

Yelp
Exactly what a coffee shop should feel like - and everything was delicious! Take the extra minute to venture off the beaten path and you will find this treasure!
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Marie B.

Yelp
What exactly can one write about an indie cafe going strong since 1975? A place that has weathered change off the beaten path in Seattle's University District. A haven for countless individuals. Successful transition to being a roaster and providing the means of shipping its blends as part of a coffee club. For this visit, I saw a wave of laptops and hardly any conversation. Decent service. An assortment of baked goods. Tasty iced mocha. Enjoyed the sunshine and a slight breeze despite having to sit in the alley with delivery trucks and the lounging Ave young people. It was a smoker down wind that convinced me to move on. Just glad to see some places from a distant time as a UW Husky still exist on this Ave corner, like Orange King, Magus Books, and Cafe Allegro!
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Chris A.

Yelp
Allegro is a wonderfully romantic little café in the U District that feels like a must stop for anyone in the neighborhood. As for the coffee however, I was sadly not impressed. My cortado wasn't great, the espresso didn't taste very balanced (A bit burnt) and no effort was put into any kind of latte art. Latte art isn't the end all be all, but it's a nice touch that shows the craft off.
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Jon L.

Yelp
Cafe Allegro in the University District is renown in Seattle as being the first espresso shop in the city. Although it has a long history, I had not visited this shop until recently even though I had been living in the Seattle area for almost a decade. While the street address is University Way NE, the cafe is located in an alleyway as you approach MOD Pizza further down the street. Perhaps that is the reason why this place is a best kept secret! Of the coffee shops in the U-District, I would say this is perhaps the biggest one that I have encountered as far as available seating. There is the main room where the coffee bar is located, as well as a back dining area. There is also an upstairs dining patio as well as a couple benches right outside. The cafe also has an in-house small batch coffee roastery. The shop has your usual array of coffee drinks on the menu above, as well as a separate special drinks menu. They even have cold brew which I wanted. Unfortunately they were out of that for the day, so I opted for a large iced house blend coffee ($2.50) which was refreshing. The cafe decor is a little bit dated and has a Bohemian type of vibe, but it gives the place character. I found it easier to find a space here after checking out the Starbucks down the street which was fully packed. Came here to do some work and found the free Wi-Fi to be okay. There were some intermittent connection issues, but for the most part it was alright. If you are looking for an under the radar cafe, I would recommend Cafe Allegro. The alley location helps keep this place a best kept secret in Seattle.

Andrew L.

Yelp
Coffee is good quality and they roast their beans themselves! Fun location with an upstairs that you can also head to, including a small outdoor area with lights. Small location so can be a bit crowded and difficult to find seating--especially if it's around finals or midterms for UW students. Only big flaw for me is a complete lack of both gluten free items and staff knowledge. Asked if their "marshmallow dream bar/rice krispie" was gluten free--as they typically are, barista couldn't tell me and didn't have any desire to check with anyone. Understand not everyone knows the ins and outs of gluten free and whatnot but its 2022, Seattle has Nuflour bakery just in Capitol Hill; Not very difficult to offer 1 gluten free option. It's not just a "fad diet" for many people!

A G.

Yelp
The cold brew coffee is on fleek . I am a sucker for this place due to the nostalgia and the ambience of my undergraduate days. I love the baked goods here especially that coffee cake and the cinnamon roll. So many romantic memories here....getting nothing done...when I have amounts of homework...and lots of caffeine. Or maybe I just love ivy and brick walls. Haha.

Madison A.

Yelp
UW student here - this is hands down my favorite study spot. It's a little off the main area, but that adds to its charm and makes the general crowd less touristy. The tea comes in a silver teapot and the overall ambience is so peaceful and warm. The people who work here are always so friendly, too. 100% recommend.
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Kelli S.

Yelp
This shop is famous as Seattle's first coffee shop, so we set out early one morning to check it out. It was a little difficult to find this shop, at first. We were looking at pictures on Yelp and it looked like it was in an alleyway (just look for the vine-covered wall). As it turned out, we were parked on the street and that's not the entrance to the shop. We basically had to walk around the corner and then we saw the Café Allegro signs. There weren't too many people in the cozy coffee shop during the time of our visit, which was nice; we were able to order quickly (there were only two people in front of us). However, by the time we left the shop closer to 9 a.m. (it was a Friday), there were more people coming in. Since this is close to the university, I can imagine this ends up being a popular study spot. It's a cozy nook filled with lots of tables and chairs. Even though Starbucks is literally right around the corner, it was neat to visit Café Allegro. It reminded me of a lot of the indie/hippie coffee shops I used to see in Eugene (or Oregon in general) - lots of character with an older vibe, delicious coffee and pastries, and a friendly staff (even though there was only one girl working during our visit, who took the orders and made the coffee by herself!). The pastries here looked amazing, but we only ordered drinks during our visit. Here's what we got: Iced Mocha: This tends to be my go-to coffee order, especially at places that are famous for their blends. Even though it was a chillier morning, I wanted to get this drink because it got good reviews, and I love trying different mochas from the various coffee shops I visit. This version was smooth and velvety, and the glass was really large (I thought I ordered the medium size, but if so, it was bigger than I expected). And, since I was able to get soy milk, I didn't have to worry about getting an upset stomach later on. House Coffee: One of our group members got the regular house coffee, and he said it was good (he just orders his black). The nice touch about getting any of the hot coffees is that it comes in the Café Allegro coffee cup ... perfect for that Instagram picture. Green Tea: One of the people in our group doesn't like coffee but wanted something warm, so he opted for green tea. It was so cute how it came in a little teapot. He enjoyed it and said it was a great choice to combat the morning chill. Apple Fritter and Chocolate Croissant: If I did order any pastries from here, it would probably be one of these two. Even though we were there early in the morning, during the time of our visit, there was only one apple fritter left, as a testament to its popularity. There was a good assortment of donuts, scones (especially marionberry flavors), cookies and more. The chocolate croissant here looked especially good, and if we didn't have breakfast already, I would have gotten this.
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Melissa G.

Yelp
Found this place after walking up and down the block for a god few minutes until we realized we needed to go to the alley. We're from Texas so i had no clue that businesses can be tucked away so pleasantly to my surprise in alleyways! I had a delicious cherry blossom latte that was ridiculously good and the best treat to have after visiting The Quad at University of Washington. It was on Cafe Allegro's seasonal drink menu right next to the register & posted on the bakery cases. I highly recommend looking at what they have to offer and ordering a once of a kind coffee or latte. You won't be disappointed. Wanted to purchase 2 postcards but the awesome barista ended up not charging us for them which excited me because we came here to 1) have some coffee and 2) do some postcard writing to our family & friends back home and 3) charge our phones (plenty of outlets!). I wish we had time to go outside and upstairs to the 2nd level but we were too much in a hurry to take the rest of Seattle in.
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Lucky S.

Yelp
As it turns out, the barrista that made my amazing vanilla latte at Sure Shot works here as well (I still didn't catch his name) so I recieved a perfect drink again. Score! And I dig the ambiance at Allegro much more too, although it's tucked in an alley, making it a little difficult to find. They do have a sign on the street telling you where to turn in so keep your eyes peeled. The urine smell in the alley is off-putting but once inside, it quickly goes away and all the windows give a fun glimpse into the activity of the alley. In addition to serving coffee, Allegro also offers beer and wine, but they don't have much in the way of food aside from pastries. I ordered a marrionberry scone along with my latte that I liked very much and it was bigger than I could finish. So far, Allegro has been my favorite Cafe near the university and I've tried quite a few.
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David F.

Yelp
First visited Cafe Allegro about a month ago and had a wonderful experience. The secret back alley entrance, the classic old school Seattle building, and cool décor all enhanced the experience. The best part of the visit however, was Kate and the great, very clove-y Chai Tea Latte she made me. She happily gave me an orientation to the U-District, the great history of this business, her history here, and in between brief chats she ran around cleaning keeping the place absolutely sterile. The most amazing thing from my visits here happened today. I walked in and Kate immediately knew who I was and made my drink - one month after my first visit. With this kind of cheerful staff so focused on customer service that they can remember a one-time customer 30 days later - you cannot find a better coffee experience in King County.
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Michele R.

Yelp
Love the atmosphere in here. I mentioned Allegro to two different people and both of their first responses were something along the lines of "OMG, I love that place" and "Kate is the best"... That says something. Kate is the best! And I love this place too. I'm not sure if the cafe is open right now (thanks Phase 1 COVID) - but I know they've got an online store selling beans!
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Sally L.

Yelp
Cafe Allegro is a place that I'm very familiar with during my undergraduate years. It's a nice cafe to study in, especially if you're looking for a place with lots of tables, fast Wi-Fi, and a cafe atmosphere. However, if you're looking for anything past that, I wouldn't recommend this place. It's close to the university, tucked in an alleyway, but try not to venture too much up the alley late at night because there can be some sketchy people. They roast their own coffee, but their drinks are only average and nothing special, and prices have increased since I was a freshman. The quality of their staff varies too. Although I used to always see this really nice barista, today I was greeted by this angry employee who glared at me while I was ordering, hastily put my drink down, and walked away all without a word. It was pretty disappointing since I feel that since there's nothing all that great about the drinks, I should at least expect some decent service from here to keep coming back. All in all, it's a good place to get some work done in a convenient location, but I wouldn't seek this place out purely for the coffee.
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Jeff B.

Yelp
Location in an alley remains the most attractive point. We both had Americanos, and both agreed -- that though we like dark roasts -- this was too dark and burnt-tasting. Service was excellent. Ambiance is comfortably grungy.
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Lina K.

Yelp
Wow! My friend, who is a student at UW, told me to come here during my visit and I adore this shop! The location was a little bit tricky to find but not too bad, I almost like that it's more hidden. The space is great. It's darker but there are lights over the tables so you can read/get work done. Fun decor, a decent amount of seating, it's very cozy. There are big windows out into the alley which are really nice so you don't feel like you're underground or in a box. The baristas were super friendly and got my drink started for me before I even paid so that it would be out quickly which I really appreciated. They were really kind and welcoming! My cup of coffee was fantastic and I was glad they had alternative milks (my milk of choice: soy) And I had a croissant as well which was delicious. I will definitely be back, loved this place! 14/10
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Trina W.

Yelp
Stopped here while visiting from Texas. Such a cozy little spot! I had the daily special (Ethiopian, Guatemalan, Costa Rican blend) and my boyfriend had a macchiato, both were delightful! We also shared a Christmas cookie, also delightful. It is a little hard to find with your GPS if you're not from the area. Its located in an alley way. Luckily enough I had read this online so we had an idea for where to look, but if we hadnt I would have thought my GPS was wrong because there's businesses on the outside of the street but no sign until you get around to the alley. I don't know if it was the coffee itself or the entirety of the cafe and sipping the coffee in the rainy Seattle weather but sitting there just felt so relaxing. The front area is a little small but there is more seating in the back where it's quieter to be able to do work. Will definitely be back when we visit again!
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Daveena S.

Yelp
If you're looking to grab a quick cup of coffee near campus this may be the place for you!! The location is a bit tricky to find but not impossible. If you know where MOD pizza is follow the alley and you'll see glass windows which is where this cafe is located! Plus there are signs outside, which are helpful! I came in around 8am and it wasn't too busy or packed! The barista was nice and quickly made my drink! I ordered a hazelnut latte with hemp milk! Trying hemp milk for the first time and it's good! However I noticed they do free pour the syrups so if you don't have much of a sweet tooth I'd made sure to ask for less flavoring! The reasoning behind why I gave it a five stars even though my latte was too sweet for my preference, the overall tasty of the coffee is just amazing!! The cup I got my coffee in was surprising just because it wasn't your usual mug for a hot drink but I did like it! ... (pictured below) The inside was very unique, has a earthy feel to it with soft playing music in the background and a cute display! They do have additional seating so the place is pretty spacious! + they take Apple Pay!! Very convenient for people who forget their wallets like me!
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Jess M.

Yelp
Super tasty chai and not too sweet, but a bit spicy and creamy. Scone was also really good. Staff was friendly and funny.
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Hannah S.

Yelp
It was really interesting to come to read the reviews here after an awful, day-ruining experience at Cafe Allegro this morning and find that someone else had a very similar experience with the same barista a month ago. From working in the industry as a server and bartender for years, I usually side with the server if they are a bit short or impatient because I know how much of a grind it can be. I tip well and am understanding. But today I simply wanted to grab something to drink and eat before a long workday ahead and a male barista came out of nowhere and was unbelievably rude and degrading toward my friend and I. I had asked for a drink and they were out of the ingredients for it, so I stood off to the side so my friend could order instead. The male server appeared from the back without knowing I had already ordered with someone else (but that they didn't have it) and seemed put off that I was standing there as he was confused about who to ring up. He gave us a look like we were idiots and loudly commented on how weird it was we weren't standing in order. My friend said her order as the milk steamer was being used so it was loud and hard to hear. The barista said verbatim, "Look at me when you're talking to me." I know when I am being talked down to, and felt so violated that I was in shock of how toxic an interaction with a stranger could be for two minutes of the day. Rather than ordering once he verbally attacked us a third time, I walked out and decided I will not be returning, which is unfortunate because i would much rather support a local shop than a corporate one. I enjoy a little sass or sarcasm, and not having someone just be overly cheery or fake in customer service, but this guy was publicly shaming us and being so off-putting that I'm surprised Cafe Allegro is continuing to employ him. To be fair, my previous experience was awesome and the server was welcoming, but this was unbelievably awful and I hope that it is sorted out.
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Mia T.

Yelp
I wonder if anyone at this place has ever heard of bleach. The bathroom REAKS of urine. It's so overwhelming it actually made me nauseous. I went in the morning and got a coffee, with the intention of staying all day to work on an application and get lunch. I had to leave because every time I went to the bathroom I felt sick to my stomach from the smell. Are you fu*king kidding me? Do you know what bleach is? Do you know that it disinfects? Do you know that if you clean something with bleach the smells goes away? I would expect that type of care from a ghetto gas station but not a coffee shop. Will not be back for that reason alone. Bleh.
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Eric M.

Yelp
Pretty nice place I go to but, last visit I come in and immediately asked if it's to go or for here. I reply for here and I'm told well we close in 40 minutes. Then the latte is barely warm. This happened with the same barista before so I'll post it now in hopes I'll have more pleasant visits in the future.
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Lena D.

Yelp
This is the first time I've ever felt so urged to write an angry review on Yelp -- just so that I could vocalize the total embarrassment that I've experienced with one of the workers. I'm in no way a regular at this cafe, and I will not be returning anytime soon. I had ordered a white mocha and the O'Brien Burrito. There were two baristas, one was a female and the other was a male. The woman was super kind and greeted me with a smile on her face, but the male seemed like he didn't really enjoy my presence. I've seen the male worker there once about a year ago, and he did give a bit of a condescending attitude towards me, but I just assumed that he had a long day. I took both into account, and decided not to tip that day and thought "maybe next time". Once I had signed my order, the male barista flipped the screen, made a face, and rudely uttered "wow". There were many people in line, and I felt completely uncomfortable! I've never experienced such a horrible situation with a barista before-- let alone, a horrible situation with a barista at all. He began to walk away and heated my burrito up in the microwave. I was still standing in line, and was waiting for a response like "your burrito should be out shortly", but he completely ignored me proceeded to take the next customer's order. Once the burrito was "finished" he planted the dish on the side for me to grab without calling my order or handing it to me, even though he did just the opposite for the other customers. At that point I wanted to throw my uneaten, half-cold burrito and unfinished coffee in the garbage! I no longer wanted to stand another minute in there as I felt like I was disrespected. Right as I finished my meal, I stormed out of the cafe. I was so appalled and sadden by the fact a nice cafe had to be ruined with terrible service. Thankfully, there are other cafes around University District with spectacular service that I would gladly give my full tip to. If you don't want your day ruined, I would advise you to skip out on Cafe Allegro, and check out other cafes that the district offers!!
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Keizzel C.

Yelp
Came here for a quick coffee when I was in town visiting Udub. At first it was hard to find since it was in an alley but I guess that adds to the appeal. It was super early when we went so hardly any line. I ended up getting my usual white mocha. Nothing too spectacular about the coffee itself but I loved the ambiance of this place and how friendly the staff were even if it was early.

Anabelle Y.

Yelp
Their service is worse than a clogged toilet. I'm a heavy coffee drinker, but in the few past weeks I have been going to Allegro because I like their drip (not too bitter compared to other coffee shops nearby if it's helpful) and their pastries. I tip all the time when I go out but I am also a working student, so at cafe's I tip based on how rich I feel for the day. Today I went to get a small drip and pastries for my friends and decided to not tip. BIG MISTAKE. The guy working looks at the screen and rolls his eyes, tosses the bag of pastries towards the edge of the counter, and says "thanks for not tipping". Like H E L L O, the guy in front of me didn't tip. Just because we tip in America doesn't mean you're entitled to your tip. Of course I didn't say anything because I was shocked and that guy working has a pretty bad life. TL;DR If you see a short guy in his early 40s with already graying hair and tattoo sleeves, please turn around and try out their almond biscotti another day. I'm just glad I got my drip before he could spit into it.

Joe J.

Yelp
Now I get the whole hipster cafe appeal of Seattle and you know this place embodies that. I love that this is a small place located in an alley behind University Ave, it's just the right amount of run down. My only thing is I think they take the rude barista thing a little far, especially since he's not even that good at making coffee. I'm not one to leave a review based on one interaction with one member of the staff but unfortunately, this specific interaction was particularly disheartening. As I sit in this cafe drinking my poorly concocted latte, I am forced to reflect on how unwelcome one of these baristas made my girlfriend and I feel. I will not stoop to physical descriptions of this specific staff member but I will underline that this staff member actively taunted and patronized me. While I do admit leaving this review makes me feel slightly better, I stand by the fact that this barista needs to hop off his high horse and treat paying customers with at least faked respect. I'm sure the bearded fur trader that made my coffee for me was probably just having a bad day but I hope no one else has to have a similar experience to me.
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Rubina P.

Yelp
This hidden cafe is super cute and a great late night study spot. I ordered my usual complicated-ass drink (hot decaf latte with coconut milk and vanilla flavor) with high hopes they'd nail it. I was pleasantly surprised with how delicious the drink was. The main thing I didn't like was how the barista didn't call out the drink when he finished it. Am I just supposed to read his mind and know? I was sitting in the back area with a friend so there's really no way for me to know unless he calls it like every other coffee shop. I also did not care for the lack of food options, it's a missed opportunity for them. Aside from that, it is a cute coffee shop worth stopping in!
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Juanita J.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite places to study while I enjoy a very nice size cup of coffee, tea or Italian soda. The size is nice and so is the flavor. The iced chai latte is one of my favorites because it's so strong in flavor. The atmosphere is also nice. There's usually no blaring music and there is also an upstairs place to study and work if you find downstairs is kind of crowded. There's just a nice Seattle vibe to it and as a college student it's nice to come here to focus. I really liked their prices too. Not too outrageous and the staff is really friendly and approachable as well. Overall, just a nice and wholesome experience over a few years I've been coming here.