Cafe Arta & Pub at Third Place

The perfect neighborhood spot for brunch. The staff here are phenomenal!! I swung by on a Saturday after a 25 person/family/kids group descended on the cafe while they had limited staff but the gals working moved at a double time rate, greeted everyone quickly coming through the door, got coffee in people’s hands, picked up toddlers shoes, corralled young and old with grace and skill and still managed to get my Greek scramble order in a timely fashion and out to me piping hot and delicious. Drip Coffee was also excellent and not too acidic

What do you get when you combine the old, creaky floors of a quaint bookstore (never change them!), Fidalgo Espresso and Coffee, various hot teas, delicious food (especially the Eggs Benedict), baklava, a place to eat, study, and let the kids play with toys! Cafe Arta!! A gem in the Ravenna neighborhood, and a must-try if you’re near the area. Cafe Arta truly lives up to its name!!

one of the best hangouts in north seattle. immaculate vibes and the service is incredible. i had only been once in the last four months and only once before that and the barkeep remembered my drink order. 10/10. besides, how many book stores serve alcohol AND make their own hummus? none. no others, outside of like, istanbul

I wanted to write because a recent reviewer indicated he was asked to leave the cafe when he was reading, even there is no sign indicating you have to purchase something to it in the cafe. There is a sign. There are lots of signs in the cafe, indicating the policies. Please don't let this reviewer lead you astray. This cafe is a gem, a place of refuge, with delicious food and drinks. The owners are lovely--warm, hilarious, and more East Coast than West Coast in their manner. In other words, they will welcome you like family, and aren't afraid to tell it like it is. I love it. Though the cafe shares a space with the bookstore, it is a separate business. Treat it like an actual cafe/restaurant, not an extension of the bookstore. And if you're shopping at the bookstore, do yourself a favor: bring your new book to the cafe and enjoy the amazing menu while you read.

I just moved to Seattle about 2 weeks ago, and this is already my go-to spot. I get the pork gyro and it's always cooked amazing, very juicy and flavorful, reminds me of back home! The Greek salad is also very good, in my opinion the best appetizer to the pork gyro. Very affordable place to grab dinner with your friends after a long week of work!

This is the first time I've been here and I absolutely loved it! My favorite dish was the chicken gyro, they cooked it to perfection. All the staff were friendly and the place felt very welcoming. Would definitely come here again and recommend it to anyone who is thinking of coming here.

Great place & atmosphere! The service was fast, swift, and extremely kind. I ordered the pub burger and it was delicious, cooked the way I asked for. Would highly recommend coming if you are looking for some greek/bar cuisine.

I initially left a one-star review last year due to poor customer service. The owner, Edi, reached out to apologize, and I decided to give them another chance to support a local business. Over the past few months, my family became semi-regular customers, visiting once or twice a week for coffee and leaving generous tips, even for takeout orders. Today, I decided to meet a friend there for coffee and arrived early with my 2-year-old daughter. While waiting, I took her to their play area. A staff member ( not the main woman/female server) approached me and, in an aggressive tone, said, “Can I get you something?” I explained that I was waiting for a friend and planned to order once they arrived. She then loudly informed me multiple times that I had to order something to use the play area, saying, “That’s how things work here.” If this is the policy, it’s entirely reasonable, but there’s no signage at the play area to indicate it, and the way it was communicated felt unnecessarily rude and confrontational—especially in front of a young child. I suggest the business implement clear signage and train staff to address customers with respect and professionalism. This kind of experience is disheartening, particularly when we’ve gone out of our way to support them in the past. Unfortunately, after two negative interactions, we’ve decided not to return. Update: Hi Arta Management, Thank you for your response. I’d like to clarify a few things: 1. My family and I have been paying customers at your establishment on multiple occasions, and we’ve tipped generously in support of your business. 2. On the day in question, I did plan to order and was waiting for my friend to arrive before doing so. I wasn’t aware that simply sitting in the play area required an immediate purchase, as there is no clear signage to that effect. 3. My issue isn’t with the policy itself, which is completely understandable. The concern is the manner in which it was communicated. The interaction was unnecessarily aggressive and could have been handled with more professionalism. I’ve shared my honest experience to help your team address these concerns and improve customer interactions in the future. Businesses thrive on respectful communication, and I hope this feedback is received in the constructive spirit it was intended.

I've been coming here for years, since before they changed hands. I keep going because It's a neighborhood place, I love the bookstore, and the patio is lovely. There's also a sweet, wonderful Ukrainian (I think) waitress who is pure sunshine. But I have some issues. For one thing - damn, this place is expensive for the quality of the food. The owner is borderline rude, and the place is run poorly. There's always a sense that they're behind, even when the cafe is empty. If you can, choose downstairs in the pub where the waiter is always charming. My biggest complaint is that they won't let you sit in the cafe if you order a drink and not a big plate of food. I get it when it's busy, like brunch. But at 3pm on a Wednesday? They push you rather rudely over to the section my friend and I refer to as the Cargo Hold. It's crowded with computers and zoom calls. Not pleasant. What's the harm in carving out another small coffee section in the restaurant? I mean, the place is huge. Rethink that, people. You're creating an unpleasant atmosphere and it's a shame.

Some of the most arrogant and undertrained baristas I have ever encountered (specifically the slim blonde woman that many others here have complained about). I ordered a latte, and was given a frothy, bubbly, clumpy mess. I politely explained that this simply wasn't what I expected. The barista immediately snapped at me that she had worked there for two years. I politely asked for something else on the menu instead (I'd happily pay the $3 difference for a side of fries) or a refund, or a credit--anything. She barked at me that she "doesn't need my three dollars," but still refused to apply any credit after I had just wasted five dollars plus tip. Instead, I received a lecture on how their lattes are absolutely perfect, despite her total inability to properly texture milk, her insistence that this is not a "cafe" but a "regular coffee shop" (whatever that means) and that I should have lowered my expectations at the door (this was an actual suggestion). If you're making lattes in Seattle, where specialty coffee has set the standard for decades, at least put in some resemblance of effort. And if you're not competent, just don't be arrogant.

First of all, the service was excellent at the pub despite the wait time and these poor folks were running and going up and down stairs like crazy. They seemed understaffed to the extreme but they were really trying hard. I don't think I saw the bartender stop moving the whole hour or so I was there. The food and drinks were also great so I was happy with that. The ambiance for the pub is very pubby or expected but they do have a few tables with great overheard reading lights which was nice and exactly what I was looking for. I would definitely recommend it but know it might take some time for things because they are minimally staffed but trying hard.

Tried out the pub with a friend and was not disappointed! For a monday night the place was pretty busy, but still had great service. The vibes inside are really good, think cozy and wooden. For drinks we both had the finn river black currant cider, but looked like a good tap list with a rotating cider. The food was also pretty good, we tried the spanakopita and chicken souvlaki, and would definitely recommend. The Spanikopita came with three large triangles very crispy and flaky and perfect tzatziki sauce. The chicken souvlaki was similar to a gyro and we got it with fries which were pretty good but not super crispy. We also tried the mac and cheese which was a bit bland. Will definitely be back!!

I had walked by this cute lil patio in the neighborhood belonging to a cafe serving mediterranean food. You order at the counter inside, which shares a space with Third Place Books, and take a seat. This pita was the best I've had in a while. The roasted tomatoes and pickled onions really set it apart. The grilled lamb was cooked perfectly. The side salad had cucumbers and pumpkin seeds and a light, sort of sweet dressing, which I felt was above and beyond for a side salad. When I took my seat, one of the staff brought water and asked if I needed ketchup. It made me sad that I tried to be healthy and got salad instead of fries... I've gotta try the fries next time! I thought the price was a bit high ($22 before tip for a pita + salad) but the ambiance on the patio was truly delightful and made it worth it for me.

Cafe Arta offers a delightful coffee experience nestled within a bookstore. I tried the hot oat milk latte with vanilla, which was piping hot and had a perfectly subtle vanilla flavor. The oat milk added a pleasant taste, and the coffee itself was smooth and flavorful. The barista was nice and patient, and she greeted me with a huge smile on her face. She was also kind to the customer in front of me, so I personally had a great experience with the service here but after reading the other reviews I guess others haven't. The interior of the cafe is cozy and inviting, with a policy requiring you to purchase an item for the WiFi code and to sit at a table. The cafe is inside a bookstore, so you can easily pick up a book and then enjoy your coffee. There's a sectioned-off part for cafe seating, and they also serve plates of food and pastries. It's a great place to work and relax in peace.

This is a homey cafe with delicious food, coffee, wine, and beer. I can't say enough good about it. I have never experienced any arrogance from any of the servers, in spite of what another reviewer wrote. In fact, they are lovely people and I'm grateful I get to see them when I come here. They remember all of their regulars and what their regulars order. The owners are hilarious, warm, and friendly. They are more like people from the East Coast than the West Coast, and perhaps some people from Seattle and similar areas aren't accustomed to those who are direct, honest, and vibrant. But I love it. It's so fun to sit and talk with them. Another reviewer complained about having to move because he was sitting at a table and hadn't purchased anything. He stated there was no sign indicating that you needed to make a purchase. That's not true. There are big signs. The café survives through serving food and drinks. If people do not purchase food or drinks and take a table, they won't be able to stay there. There's nothing unreasonable about that. You wouldn't walk into a restaurant, take a table, and expect to stay. Though the café shares a building with third place books, it is not an extension of the bookstore. It is a separate business. But there is no better place to bring a new book, have a wonderful cup of coffee, and enjoy the atmosphere. Please do yourself a favor: try out this cafe. You'll discover a home away from home.

I initially left a one-star review last year due to poor customer service. The owner, Edi, reached out to apologize, and I decided to give them another chance to support a local business. Over the past few months, my family became semi-regular customers, visiting once or twice a week for coffee and leaving generous tips, even for takeout orders. Today, I decided to meet a friend there for coffee and arrived early with my 2-year-old daughter. While waiting, I took her to their play area. A staff member ( not the main woman/ female server) approached me and, in an aggressive tone, said, "Can I get you something?" I explained that I was waiting for a friend and planned to order once they arrived. She then loudly informed me multiple times that I had to order something to use the play area, saying, "That's how things work here." If this is the policy, it's entirely reasonable, but there's no signage to indicate it, and the way it was communicated felt unnecessarily rude and confrontational--especially in front of a young child. I suggest the business implement clear signage ( at the play area) and train staff to address customers with respect and professionalism. This kind of experience is disheartening, particularly when we've gone out of our way to support them in the past. Unfortunately, after two negative interactions, we've decided not to return.

Just read the review from Lee A and am a little shocked. Couldn't disagree more. First of all, I am so over people who exaggerate bad reviews with total disregard for the consequences. We should be doing everything we can to support small business and choosing to leave sweeping statements that are factually vague helps no one. Cafe Arta is amazing. The food is thoughtful and made with love. The staff is busy and direct but efficient and kind. Yes - they do require that you order off the menu to sit in the main dining area. This is how they pay the rent and this is how they feed their families. They offer a nice cafeteria section for customers who want a coffee and/or something from the bakery. Bottom line is this place is a gem and we are so lucky to have it in Ravenna. I have been coming here since it opened seven years ago and have never had a negative experience.

Arta, owner and manager, is a welding dynamo whose customer-pleasing service and personal care for her patrons is outstanding. The ambiance is as comforting as the food and drink. Located in tandem with Third Place Books, it's a perfect spot to relax, rest, do social media or just browse. As a visitor to Seattle, Cafe Arta, especially Arta herself, has been one of the unexpected high points of my visit. Both are enough to entice me to a future visit.

Very Rude ! If you have children don't think it's friendly . They have a play area . But staff one specially (blonde hair ) Very rude . My toddler wanted some water . She yelled at me . Plus what did they want me to do ?. They didn't even say hi , nor offered to sit me . RACIST. I only got dirty looks and insulted with my toddler , No wonder it was empty ,..it's only a "show " place of looks . I won't be back Ever .!! Worst place I've seen on Seattle . For a coffee shop .

I ordered a latte and sat at a table then one of the employees a blonde woman curtly told me I need to pay before I leave the cashier area like I was trying to dine and dash. I told her I already paid and showed her my receipt but she didn't apologize to me for the mistake but just left. I just find this incredibly rude and arrogant behavior and won't be coming back. I really have no idea why businesses treat their customers like the enemy when I didn't even do anything wrong.

The food and the service were just perfect. We had an amazing time. Thank you Cafe Arta for making our night so much fun.

A convenient cafe co-located with a bookstore makes a book perusing / brunch experience enjoyable. The food is tasty and plentiful. I had a steak sandwich and soup and my guest had chicken. Both were filling and we had to take half home. The owner was friendly and came over to make sure we were satisfied.

Great place to eat and chill .Like the vibe and the service , we are new in the neighborhood, and happy to find the happy crib . Will Be back

I just had dinner at Cafe Arta. I had the chicken souvlaki pita and fries. The food was delicious, and the service was warm and welcoming. The prices were comparable to every other restaurant. It's the nature of the beast - everything is more expensive now. This was my third visit and each time I have been more than satisfied.

This is an AMAZING place! Best biscuits and gravy in Seattle that I've found so far. Phenomenal service too - Viktoriia was our server and was over the top nice and attentive. The owner (didn't catch her name) also stopped by to check on us. THIS is service done right. Can't wait to come back soon!!

Service charge? For what? Food quality much lower yet much much more expensive. Customer service is extremely lacking and almost hostile on one side, apathetic on the other. I want to love this place so much for a variety of reasons. Miss the old owners and bartenders everyday.

I absolutely love this place. The atmosphere is great and calm, a perfect place to get some work done or read a book. The food is delicious and fresh. The Chicken Skewer plate is so so good. The server was amazing and super nice. One of my favourite spots for getting work done and getting a good meal.

I've been coming here for years and have had bad experiences only recently. Today I ordered a latte and double checked my ask for decaf and oatmilk with the barista since I have a dairy allergy (the cashier was on the phone and didn't confirm or repeat my order back to me). The last time I was here they accidentally gave me normal milk (luckily I could tell so didn't drink it) so I wanted to give them another chance since it's on my way to work and such a cute place. When I confirmed the order with a smile, I got the rudest stink eye from the older blonde woman and a "Yeah I got it." I hate double checking due to allergies and it's already embarrassing but I'm trying not to die! When it was ready, the outside had coffee spilled all over it and even though I only asked for a little vanilla the coffee was undrinkable- honestly, it tasted like 3 pumps. Not sure if it was done on purpose due to her annoyance since I asked for only a little but I had to throw out. Won't be back!

Stopped by for a quick brunch! The breakfast pita was alright, a little heavier than what I had anticipated but overall decent. I felt the price was a bit high for what I got, but service was quick and friendly. Cafe Arta is inside Third Place Books, which adds a nice ambiance. I think I'd stop by if I wanted a bite to eat after browsing the bookstore, but I'd probably not go out of my way to come here.

Went here once for a book club. Owner was very rude to us, saying we should have called ahead first (cafe was empty). When we all sat down, server told us that we all were required to order something (I have never seen that at a restaurant before) even though the majority of us were ordering coffees, pastries, food. Owner/server came back again twice to reprimand and scold us that we hadn't called them ahead of time (again, restaurant was empty and could easily accommodate a group of 12). Super uncomfortable. Our same book club wanted to go to this restaurant again for book club, but had learned from past mistakes and called ahead first. Owner said we could only go if we ordered $30 worth of food EACH. Not even one of us was allowed to order a pastry and coffee. She even said she would make us leave without serving us if we didn't make our $30/person minimum when we ordered. This is insane! I understand that a restaurant needs to make money, but putting a minimum charge in a group (in a bookstore!) on a Sunday morning leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. Will not be returning as we are clearly not wanted there.

This place is incredible! Food is spectacular and comes out in a timely manner. The service was amazing as well, our server was very sweet and her recommendations were delicious! Definitely try the chicken sandwich special, I have been thinking about it ever since! Cute atmosphere, and you can browse books before or after dinner!

This place is super inclusive, delicious food, and has a very homey vibe. The beers were fairly placed and they had a great selection.

IMM IN LOVE WITH THIS PLAC the best pleace in seatle i lovet thanky for the service i love you

Downstairs is amazing. Slick service, easy conversation or just keep to yourself. Fries are with ordering basket.

This is the cafe inside Third Place Books. They are really strict about giving out wifi and will only tell you the password if you buy something. There are signs everywhere that you can't sit down without purchase. I purchased a $4.18 green tea that was only Stash brand (costs $5 a box at the grocery store) and then guess what? The wifi doesn't work.

Food was OK. Service was fine. Ambiance was abominable. I went to eat brunch with a group at this restaurant. When the bill came, there were extra charges on everyone's meals. We were told that the menu had the incorrect lesser amounts printed, but this was not noted anywhere. There was also an extra charge for drinking coffee or tea in the restaurant, also with no notation stating this. The owner came over, instead of letting the server just interact with our group, and escalated what could have been a simple conversation about the bill. They said we were making fun of their accent (I personally had not noted an accent, nor any comments to that effect from anyone in our group). They were shockingly rude, totally lacking in customer service. It was appalling! When paying the bill, I told the server there were no hard feelings and that she personally had done nothing wrong. The owner came by and yelled at the server. I felt sorry she had to work in such an abusive environment. Customer review rating is zero.

Food was great and authentic. Service was excellent, the owner was hospitable and helpful. Overall, I had a great experience with wonderful food and people.

Cafe Arta is a gem! The menu has something for everyone. The service is excellent, the food is delicious and the ambiance is perfect. Highly suggest a visit to Cafe Arta.

You have through a bookstore to get to this little gem. Serving all day breakfast and gyros that are out of this world. The pita is perfectly cooked to house the sandwich. Service is helpful and friendly. Dining area has great natural light with windows to look out!

Finally stumbled across a place that has an enclosed play area for toddlers where you can sit and have your meal directly facing it. Relaxing option for parents! The owner is very friendly. They have full service brunch, inside a bookstore. Magic. Menu includes yummy middle Eastern options like meze plate, plus American classics.

"I had a disturbing interaction with the owners of Cafe Arta. Just to be clear, Third Place Books is a different and absolutely delightful business. I had breakfast at Cafe Arta with a group of friends. The restaurant was deserted during most of our meal. When the bill came, there were unexpected extra fees on it for everyone. We were told they had not updated their menus (but there were no notices anywhere). Plus there were extra fees for sitting down in the restaurant to have coffee or tea, but the take out price was less? When I questioned the bill, not knowing that three other people at the table had already questioned the extra charges ($2-3 in some cases more), the owner interrupted the explanation by the server. At one point the second owner walked by and joined the discussion, having not even heard what was previously said. He said i was questioning the bill because I was racist. An out of the blue statement and a total surprise for the entire table. I have lead diversity groups and trainings. I am also brown and the owner is not. I was not upset about the increased costs, just wondering. Due to their outrageous rudeness, I will not be going back to this cafe. Being called a racist for breakfast was beyond reasonable without merit behavior from a restaurant owner. I frequent cafes and have never had any similar shocking experiences. Do not give these people your business."

One of the owners has begun harassing me via messages here; confirming that these people are both inappropriate and unprofessional. And for the record I am not a former employee, the fact they assume I am confirms that the way I saw them treating staff is in fact the norm.

I love the bookstore here but the cafe is atrocious. The people who work there are extremely unwelcoming and rude which for a place with mediocre food and bad coffee isn't a good look.

Our ladies book group goes to Cafe Arta often. We love it. Arta, the owner, is always so welcoming and the food is great. Today I had a veggie pita and it was perfect. There was just the right combination of tomato and cheese and it was served with a lovely salad. The dressing was so good. I highly recommend Cafe Arta to all. It is located in the back of a bookstore so you can have a lovely coffee or a meal and then browse the bookstore. It's charming and the food is beautifully presented. Five stars! Caroline Quinn Seattle

I love Cafe Arta. I have been coming here since I moved to Seattle five years ago. Great owners, very inviting, and very accommodating. Most importantly, great food and good service.

One of the few times I've gotten American food at a non-American restaurant. They go a little light on the seasoning, if you're like me you'll definitely need hot sauce. But it was delicious and service was lovely; the storefront is a cute little bookstore you can wander through.

We have tried this place for a breakfast, lunch and afternoon coffee and were more than happy every time! The food is just great! Finally a good breakfast/brunch place in this area. Two ladies working there are lovely and attentive, make you feel welcome. The restaurant is associated with a book store, which gives this place a special charm. There seems to be an outdoor seating for the summer. We have not experienced it yet, but will surely be back.

Cannot recommend this place more highly. It's a winner!!! I was there with a very large group on Tuesday night, we were situated on the outdoor patio. Their staffing was tight that night but everything was handled smoothly and beautifully, and the food.... OMG the food. Others in my group were also very pleased with their selections. I had not been there before. The food was so delicious that, well, I returned tonight, just two nights later. It's been a rough week and I wanted to treat myself to something nice. I had steak. It is restaurant quality. All the sides were beautifully done. The service was polite, prompt and attentive. I'm so happy I found this place. I was there tonight as a single diner but you could take a date here and the food would do you proud. I've taken a look at the reviews complaining about the setup with patio dining. I've also seen and eaten in that space. The reviews are unreasonable. No place in their right mind would have people eat outside yards and yards away from the main dining room, with a bookstore (a separate business) in between and not have payment upfront. It's frankly an enormous courtesy that they will bring your food out that far to you. They are doing a nice thing for people by offering that extra space for people who enjoy eating outdoors. I am picky about my food. The food is high quality. There's a wide range of options on the menu. The kitchen clearly takes pride in what they send out. As a bonus, turns out the owner was formerly affiliated with someplace I have eaten for decades, so I know this place will be consistent and trustworthy. My whole month just got a million times better. Looking forward to yummy times ahead.

Food, service and ambiance are all great at this charming cafe inside Third Place Books Ravenna. Arta is a gem. This is truly a local family-run business that always brings me joy. Try it!

great food and awesome atmosphere. Service was also terrific, highly reccomend. I got the meat lovers scramble and it was amazing

Like others giving one star, I've found that the place feels like it's booby trapped. One "wrong" move and Arta is on you like a scoldy teacher talking to a 5-year-old. It's not comfortable to be there.

I received a rude private reply from someone named Edie V. (who attempted to write a review for their own business). I was not on the patio. Instead, I was inside waiting for them to open. I truly felt unwelcome and also felt discriminated against at Cafe Arta.

Had breakfast here today and it was wonderful! Great service too! I had the California Benedict and it was yummy!!

This cafe inside the Third Place bookstore is such a great spot- indoor and outdoor seating, has a great beer selection, and the food is always so so so good. I've had their gyro, hummus, falafel and all very good. Today I got their special, steak sandwich and it was suuuuuper delicious. I also love their London Fog- It's the best one I've had with perfect level of sweetness.

This cafe is one of the best, if not the best, cafe in and around the Seattle area. I've been here 3 times, each time under much different circumstances, and the cafe fit as a wonderful place for them all. I first went there alone, kindle in hand, determined to enjoy an afternoon of reading and dining. The cafe is connected to a bookstore, which is an added plus for those who enjoy doing the same. The cafe has a ton of natural light and the room invited you to sink in and relax. Service was wonderful, food was delicious, and my venture to find a relaxing place to read and dine was successful. The second time I went, I took my girlfriend on a lunch date. It was her first time, and we were seated in a corner of the cafe with an adorable row of tall chairs and smaller circular tables. The tables were neighbors to the windows that ushered in all of the great natural lighting, and it was a cute island of the cafe perfect to seat guests like us. The service was once again wonderful, and Arta worked diligently to make sure we enjoyed our time together. The third and most recent time I went there, I met up with several of my friends from high school for a little check up and chat. The service again was wonderful, the table was set perfectly with water that never ran out, and all the amenities you'd need to enjoy coffees or toast, such as sugar and jam, and the cafe provided a great experience that made for one of the better meals we've all shared together. The food is always delicious, and I've been lucky enough to try the Souvlaki sandwhichs, and quite a few of the dips. They also sell the dips by the pound if you indulge in one that makes you wish it were sitting in your fridge. The people who own, operate, and run the restaurant are the most delightful people, and you can see their passion for what they do by the way they carry themselves throughout the restaurant. Truly carrying about their food, service, and customers. And you also feel that in the gracious and exceptional staff that work passionately alongside these folks. Definitely, definitely take the time to come out to this cafe, it's worth it, and I implore you to put yourself out there and try something from the menu you've never eaten or even heard of before. You'll thank yourself for taking that leap.

Have been a regular here for years. The owners and staff are always polite and the food is great for breakfast, lunch and dinner! It's a great place for family or to get together with friends!

food outstanding but the atmosphere is the best - this is a social gathering place for many small group regulars as it is known for its uplifting vibrant energy - Arta and Ed duo bring this place alive great service food you name it