Cafe Soleil

Kuri and her staff are amazing! This is my favorite spot in this neighborhood. Service and atmosphere are welcoming and pleasant. The food is amazing-- both brunch and dinner menus offer great flavors. Highly recommend the Yellow Split Pea Alit'cha W'et and the Eggplant Tomato Alit'cha W'et.

I think this is a good neighborhood gem! Went for brunch and the place was cute had lots of natural light and plenty people but no wait on Mother’s Day. Food wise I didn’t think it was anything special or wowed me but again if you’re looking for something more simple and light then this would be a good place. Pricing matches portions I would say! Their orange slices were so good (I know it was more of a garnish). I got the spicy shrimp croissant which was tasty but had like three shrimps in it, so it was mostly bread.

What a treat! Such a great little find for great breakfast/brunch. Beautiful setting as well with the amazing food.

Popular neighborhood restaurant with friendly and attentive service. Stopped by for lunch on a Saturday around 1pm and ordered the open faced sandwich. My partner ordered the roasted eggplant sandwich. The side potatoes were amazing, and the sandwiches were decent. Nice atmosphere and a great place for a quick lunch or catching up with friends! Want to come back to check out their dinner menu (when they serve Ethiopian cuisine).

My wife and I were excited to dive into Ethiopian cuisine, and we stumbled upon this charming spot that exceeded our expectations! From the moment we walked in, the vibrant ambiance and warm, courteous service made us feel right at home. The culinary experience was nothing short of spectacular; every bite was bursting with flavor. I savored the lamb tibes, which was perfectly seasoned, while my wife enjoyed the delightful potato ke’yi w’et. Both dishes were served with bread that added an incredible dimension to the meal. We left with full bellies and happy hearts, already counting down the days until our next visit!

Small, cozy, beautiful cafe. Had delicious Ethiopian food for Valentines Day and I can’t wait to go back. Great service and the chef (and owner?) visited our table and she was so sweet! I love this place!

It is hard to imagine that the best most accessible brunch place in Seattle could be at an Ethiopian restaurant, but such is the nature of most hidden treasures. It is a remarkable privilege to be able to dine here. The food is elegantly presented, the bread is home made, and the meal savory. I took a photo - which I rarely do, because in my opinion Khurri (the owner) has elevated her work into an art form - we felt we were transported to a scene straight out of Midnight in Paris.

I really enjoyed this place. We ordered from the brunch menu and got the smoked salmon with potatoes, rosemary chicken sandwich, mint tea, and latte. The food came out quickly and the first bite melted in my mouth. You can tell the ingredients they use are fresh and the atmosphere feels elevated like an Ethiopian-French bistro, it reminded me of New Orleans. I love that the prices are very reasonable too! 10 out of 10, excited to come back to try their dinner menu.

Café Soleil is warmly welcoming. My lunch companions ordered spaghetti with salmon, a vegetable sandwich, and an eggplant sandwich. The eggplant usually comes with delicious cheese, but the hostess held the cheese for our friend who is lactose intolerant. Sandwiches came with tasty roasted new potatoes on the side. The cafe itself has a lovely ambiance, a bright room at the corner of 34th Avenue and Union St. on the #2 bus line. Prices were reasonable and portions were adequate. The special Ethiopian tea was scented with cinnamon. We will come back for more!

Excellent. Fantastic espresso, breakfast always superb. Beautifully elegant, old world interior; small, quaint and intimate. Kiri has put together delicious flavors for years! We're so delighted to visit her again after all this time.

Cute little cafe in the beautiful neighborhood downtown Madrona! We came on a Sunday morning where they were serving breakfast. Nice, light, healthy breakfast items. Got the French Press Coffee ($5) - would not recommend, very tart and bitter. Also tried the smoked salmon sandwich ($13) - very large pieces of toast with a small amount of filling. Sad the salmon wasn't actually smoked! The daily smoothie ($5.75) was fine but very small. The strawberry jam on the table is awesome. Staff is great. I would like to come again and try their Ethiopian dishes.

The service was spectacular. Wonderful variety for dinner- not just Ethiopian food. That said- the ethiopian food was spectacular. Best in the neighborhood. Had a bottle of wine with dinner and enjoyed the evening without being concerned about how long we took. Fabulous! Very good deal too!

Cafe Soleil has been in Madrona for years, and it is consistently delicious!!! We went last night for dinner and honestly, it was even better than I remember. We had the three vegetarian dishes, chicken tibes and Ethiopian beers and it was all so good. The owner is the chef and she is delightful, and the gal waiting on us was very knowledgeable and attentive. Highly recommend.

I popped in Soleil for dinner after having drinks nearby at Bottlehouse. I love Ethiopian food but have only had it at hole in the wall places in central district. I asked for help picking the 3 sides For the pick 3 vegetarian dish. I got the yellow lentil, chard and spicy red lentil. It was so much food you can definitely share with another person. But also.. I basically finished it. It was soooo good ! I will definitely be back. It seemed to be family owned and a really sweet woman came by to see how I liked everything. After seeing pics on Yelp I want to try their brunch too!

Warm, attentive and welcoming staff! they were so lovely. First time trying it and I had an amazing experience taking myself out for brunch and peacefully reading my book at Café Soleil. I ordered the special of the day--a Cheese tortellini basil and mozzarella scramble, and it was delicious ! Definitely coming here again.

Love this small local filled restaurant! Good food, good prices, cozy atmosphere! Enjoy

This is a review for brunch, which is absolutely a worthwhile stop. We had delicious breakfasts on the patio, including a pot of ginger tea --- which was really just like a pound of fresh ginger infused in hot water - YUM. We sat outside where the tables were a bit small but for the two of us it worked out fine. The coffee and food were both fresh. Definitely a worthy spot for a good weekend breakfast!

Great food, I ordered the French toast and it was so delicious I forgot to take a photo until I had already ate one. The service was also great, our waiter was very kind and attentive and we were able to get his attention easily. The vibe of the shop is also great, it is nice but not very busy and I went on Sunday at brunch time. I also had a smoothie and the hot chocolate. Both were great and I would recommend.

Good food, wonderful owner, a great place to begin the day with happiness, which is in short supply these days. It makes you happy just to be in the joint.

I love Cafe Soleil, everything from the interior to the food to the service. I came with my parents on a Sunday afternoon an hour before they closed to set up for dinner. The inside is very beautiful, a lot of sunlight and older decor that creates a very welcoming and comfortable environment, I liked it a lot. It's perfect for a nice date. The food itself was very good as well. They were unfortunately out of salmon, but we came after their lunch rush so it was understandable. I ended up ordering their Pasta with spinach and Fresh Tomatoes, a nice serving with very fresh ingredients. It was very tasty and the bread they served the pasta with was also delicious. I will most definitely have to come back and try their Pasta with salmon and red sauce (my first choice). My parents' meals were also very good and they enjoyed it a lot. Service was very welcoming and friendly. We were greeted by a very kind woman and Tony was our waiter/server who helped us out during our meal. Tony was awesome, his warm and inviting hospitality was the cherry on top of our dining experience. Thanks Cafe Soleil!

Had a lovely brunch. Great selection, quick and friendly services and a great value. A neighborhood gem. Go here instead of waiting at high spot.

Excellent service with smiles and patience. Great ambiance that made it welcoming and comforting. The food was exceptional and appropriately proportioned sans grease or anything that can ruin a dish's flavor. Speaking of, the flavor of their food was decadent or even refreshing with a surprise slice of fresh and light, yet hearty, bread. Highly recommend for a date, family outing, or just to go and enjoy by yourself with a comfort breakfast of yours.

Cute cozy place. We had some scrambled eggs on a rainy Seattle day and it was delicious. Service was great!

So yummy! Will definitely be coming back. Staff were so nice. Food was great and flavorful -- tons of great savory options and some sweet ones.

I really wanted to love this place as it has a really cute vibe and is in a neighborhood I adore- but I found two hairs in my frittata and when I let the waitress know she just asked if I was finished then (otherwise she was super nice). I personally felt like something should've been done to remedy the situation (even an apology?) as I didn't even get to eat my whole meal (which was delicious apart from the hairs).

Another summer of fantastically delicious Ethiopian cuisine for dinner. It's always such a relaxed and lovely experience, sitting outside and dining at Cafe Soleil. No wait, good value, tasty Ethiopian beer, and fresh ingredients. Just perfect.

This is one of our favorite restaurants for both weekend brunch and dinner! The staff are the sweetest and the food is absolutely delicious. You can't go wrong ordering anything on the menu! We love to sit outside with a glass of Prosecco with our dinner and enjoy the great food and cute neighborhood. Cafe Soleil is the best!

This restaurant makes my soul and stomach happy. I live right down the street and usually visit once or twice a week. I have been for brunch which is always amazing, and for dinner which has been my first experience eating Ethiopian food. Everything is always delicious, and the owner and her family will take good care of you and make you feel welcome. All of this, and the prices are great too. If you are in the area, Cafe Soleil is a must.

I've driven by this place for years and finally stopped in after seeing their cute sidewalk patio on a sunny day. Everything was delicious, unassuming and very very reasonably priced. Got to talking with staff and turns out the chef is the owner, had a great conversation and am excited to come back and try more menu items. Frittata special and Eggplant sandwich were tasty. Watched the Croissant sandwich go by and almost got one of those too. Inside was cute and cozy as well.

"Quaint brunch spot that draws in the locals." Hidden in the small neighborhood of Madrona is a small brunch spot that seems to gather a lot of attention. The place seats about 30 people and the menus and specials are simple and straight forward. Seats immediately filled up and we saw other patrons being turned away. There are specials listed on the walls and our server explained some of the most popular items on the menu. I ordered an Ethiopian press and the basil, tomato, and Parmesan frittata. Food took about 50 minutes to serve and I noticed there was only one person in the kitchen and 2 servers. The French press arrived before the food. Sadly I was not provided any creamer. The frittata arrived few minutes later. The eggs were perfectly done, the potatoes were well-seasoned and the serving portion was more than adequate. There a few things to consider when visiting Cafe Soleil. I recommend coming early to avoid the huge brunch crowd. At the time of our visit the service and the food was very slow. We had sat down before a couple other groups and was served last. I plan on returning to see if the experience is any different and will update this review accordingly.

Delicious food and a very relaxed, welcoming vibe. The dinner options are amazing - vegetarian or otherwise, and it travels well if you need take out! The owner is wonderful and prepares all the food!

Didn't try the Ethiopian food there, but the brunch was really good. Lots of options for omelettes, eggs, and fritattas. They give you a side of potatoes that taste great and fruit which I can't really complain about. While the other spots around the area like Hi Spot Cafe have really long waits, this place hits the spot really well and doesn't have the same kind of wait.

Had breakfast there. Had a veggie egg scramble, fried potatoes, toast and orange juice. All very good. Service very good, and no wait. Nice dining space. Will definitely be going back.

Really good Ethiopian food and nice people. Definitely would recommend this place to everyone

I feel at home every time I eat at Cafe Soleil. I first stopped by after Hi Spot (next door) was filled beyond the brim and haven't looked back since! Their frittatas are simple but delicious, and served with healthy portions of potatoes (and a generous slice of buttered toast). The service is friendly and personable. I've ended up making a tradition of eating here most weekends!

What a sweet little spot. Their breakfast is so delicious and you can tell made with all fresh ingredients. Quiet and unassuming - much more worth the $$$ than the popular breakfast spot next door! Can't wait to come back for dinner.

I loved it. The food was great, the service was great. And, unlike the place down the block, there's no wait for a table. Come eat here.

This place is so darn cute and quaint looking, I was sure we would have a great experience. Unfortunately, the meal left a lot to be desired. The good? The French press coffee was a good deal as it gave 3 of us 1.5 cups of coffee each. It was good strong coffee and tasted great without any cream or sugar. The bad? The first thing that struck me as strange was the demeanour of our waitress. She wasn't rude or unpleasant, just strange and slightly off putting. The other part that was disappointing was our scrambles. Mine was decidedly average without much flavour, but 2 others at the table made their own scrambles and complained about the ingredients that weren't chopped into smaller pieces making it difficult to eat. Just random large chunks of ingredients mixed in amongst egg. With so many good places to go, I wouldn't come back here.

Came here for brunch and left decidedly unimpressed. Our table had three different scrambles and an order of French toast. The French toast was quite tasty and light, made from French bread, dusted with powdered sugar and served with maple syrup and a meager side of fruit (read: two thin slices of pineapple). The scrambles were mediocre and nothing that left you wanting more. They tasted relatively plain and could've used more seasoning. The Ethiopian coffee press was enjoyable with enough coffee for three adults. I'm not sure we'd come back here for brunch, but would try it for dinner based on the other reviews.

Breakfast scrambles and frittatas are delicious! Cozy and inviting. Kuri and her friendly, personable staff are just the icing on the cake.

Great neighborhood spot! I had never tried Etheopian food and it was great. Definitely coming back again.

The food was pretty good, but the service was sllloooooowwww... Perfectly sized portions of mostly egg dishes. Order a fritatta, a scramble... or a fritata and it will probably be delicious. Crusty white toast and seasoned crunchy potatoes make for a good accompaniment, I just wish they had a few less cheese/ egg items to choose from. Their lunch items looked pretty good (and they'll serve those all day). Lots of sandwiches and salads to choose from. Come for the food and the ridiculously reasonable prices.... and maybe the cute decor. And while the servers are polite, hardworking folk, service here isn't the fastest. Just know that you'll be dining for a (long) while if you decide to eat at this establishment.

I've passed by here several times in the morning, only to see one or two tables occupied. At the same time, people are crushing each other to get inside the Hi Spott next door. I can only assume they aren't hip to the idea of eating Ethiopian food for breakfast. If they could put down their strollers for a moment and take a look at the menu, they'd realize that a tasty scramble or frittata is just seconds away... Why would you wait an hour for a table when better food can be had right next door? Try it for breakfast, you'll like it!

What a lovely sweet gem of a restaurant! We were looking for a good quick breakfast on our last day in Seattle and come across this restaurant. The Ethiopian spicy tea is so good! Frittatas light and delicious and bresd tasted fresh. Highly recommend!!!

I've only been to Cafe Soleil for brunch, but it was exactly what I wanted: 1. Easy seating at 11am -- we even got an outside table basking in the sun! 2. They have their own custom chai brew. No crappy Oregon Chai here! 3. My dish (garlic egg croissant sandwich) was delicious. 4. The owner came out to say hello -- and I watched her bus a table and water the roses out front using the left-over water from the table she was clearing. Awesome! I'll definitely be back -- convenient, easy, delicious!

I've only been here for brunch, and haven't tried their Ethiopian menu yet because, well, it's hard to beat other Ethiopian places in the area. But the brunch is wonderful! This place has a very friendly atmosphere; cozy and intimate but not cramped. The servers and chef/owner were attentive and pleasant; I didn't experience any of the waits that were alluded to by other reviewers, and the place was about 2/3 full. Fresh flowers adorned the tables. I had a delicious egg-toast-potatoes combo, and my partner had a sumptuous veggie sandwich with outstanding bread. Wonderful coffee & mimosas! Note to people with kids: Like I said, it's not big; please be respectful of the other diners if you must bring your offspring. The Madison area is a little overrun with the stroller set and even though this place is technically kid-friendly, it's nice to enjoy a weekend morning without being abused by misbehaving children. If yours are screamers, please consider staying home or going to McDonalds or whatever. Keep Cafe Soleil fun for the big kids!

I'm sad to say that my husband and I did not enjoy our food at Cafe Soleil. After skipping it often in favor of the other very tempting options in range (St Clouds (!!!) or High Spot) we decided to finally give it a shot and honestly... sort of regretted it. My chicken sausage frittata was lifeless and bland... slightly charred on the bottom and just really flavorless. My husband's meal was not much better. For the price, I'd have rather gone anywhere else as it wasn't at all what I had hoped for. Will say that the light filled dining room was welcoming and pleasant, the server was attentive and sweet.

I adore this place! The staff is always fantastic and the food is good. The ambiance is pretty; with tall windows for walls, it brings so much light to the place. I think it's a great place to take a date, or a couple friends, even your parents if they are visiting. Love!

Their garlic & sundried tomato croissant is rather tasty as well as their homemade chai. It was just the 2 ladies working Sat morning (the owner[?] and waitress) so waiting was ok. A neat cafe next to the High Spot.

Cafe Soleil is probably the best Ethiopian food I've eaten. We got several different dishes to share. Each had a distinct flavor, looks, and experience. I am used to most dishes tasting like the split pea / carrot action. It's a small, nice place in Madrona. I am definitely going back when I am in that neck of the woods.

I'm not a fan of Ethiopian food, but everything else here is delicious! Surprisingly enough, her pasta dishes, sandwiches and breakfasts/brunch are DELICIOUS. Everything is fairly priced, and it's so tasty! I'm especially a fan of the spinach and feta frittata, served with toast and perfect potatoes. Order an extra piece of toast, you won't regret it. I've also had the chicken sausage, onion and cheese scramble. Not as good as the spinach, but still good. Also, their lattes are really good too.

Great breakfast! Quick and attentive service. Came here on a Sunday when the line at Hi-Spot was way out the door. Me, my brother, and our combined brood of six kids were seated quickly without a problem. Everyone enjoyed therir meals - french toast, scrambles all were great. Coffee was excellent. Highly recommend this place. Great local Madrona establishment.

I agree with Jacob--this is a fantastic restaurant. The items we tried were amazing, and the injera was perfect. Warm host and cook. Romantic setting. Two caveats: 1) I was expecting the usual Ethiopian everything-on-a-single-platter with much sharing, and they bring out the dishes in discrete dishes. For me, this takes some of the messy fun and (more importantly) bonding out of the experience. 2) The items are very good, but each is not necessarily something to make your entire meal out of...having samplers (particularly of the vegetarian items) would make eating solo or in a couple more interesting.

My brother frequently tells me how bad the service is here in Seattle. He used to visit me when I lived in Chicago years ago and be amazed at how friendly people were then. Hubby & I have only been here for a few months but have yet to be subject to this type of service, until Cafe Soleil. Our waitress was just there. An automaton at best. Yeah, we got our beverages & brunch items with nothing burnt or really icky. It was just her general attitude- oh well. You're here. Guess that I'll serve you. At one point she just sighed moodily when more people came in and she had to clear the table next to us. Damn. It is brunch! Just be happy that you are turning tables! Today's specials were scrambled eggs with cheese tortellini, basil & mozz. I thought that I was reading the blackboard incorrectly. Eggs and pasta? hmm. Okay. . . It was actually quite good! I got the chicken sausage frittata with mushrooms & parm. Both came with a side of toast, garlicky home fries, and orange segments. Despite our robotic waitress and a drafty room, I'll be back. Brunch items were $5 and up. All told, we spent less than $25 which somewhat excuses the not-quite-but-almost-frosty service.

This restaurant is where one takes out of town friends for breakfast. It's where I take myself for breakfast. It's catty corner to the "Hi-Spot" which is a fun breakfast joint if you get there early and are willing to stand in line and then pay too much to eat breakfast in a really crowded and noisy place. Go to the Hi-Spot for the cinnamon rolls, but go to Café Soliel for breakfast. If you read the menu/chalk board there is a fine selection, but you eventually just learn to ask for "the special." The "special" rotates around a half-dozen dishes that I can not even bother to cook and don't think I could prepare as well as Mama does. And I am a good cook. Order what you like, it's all good. I lean to the fritatas. I am always served by attractive and eager to please staff. And where else does the Chef come to your table and ask if your meal is to your satisfaction?

I absolutely love the spare decor here. There's nothing to distract you from the light coming in the massive southerly windows, and the trees and flowers outside become part of your experience. I've only been here for brunch, and the food was totally unexceptional. It was on the greasy side, and seemed like something I could have made easily enough myself. There are a handful of places within half a mile (or a quick walk) that offer tastier fare. I would give it a shot for dinner, which it sounds like they might do better. The coffee, roasted in a pan, tastes like what you'd expect at a diner. I understand this is traditional, but in Seattle your coffee needs to actually taste like something. The wait staff was perfectly courteous, though we kind of wondered if they were stoned. The food came quickly given how swamped they were.

If you love Ethiopian, you will like Cafe Soleil. Our visit here was such a treat - the ambiance and friendly service were worth the visit alone. For dinner, we shared the lentil, spinach garlic, split pea, and spicy chicken dishes. We were a little ambitious, and definitely couldn't finish it all in one sitting. We've had Ethiopian in the past, and unfortunately just aren't huge fans in general. However, we thought everything at Cafe Soleil was flavorful and made with care. We especially liked the balance of fresh tomato and yogurt that came with our meal; this was a nice counter to the heaviness that typically comes with Ethiopian food. I think what made the experience four stars for us was just how cute the restaurant was. The owner was as sweet as could be, and our server was chipper and helpful. Oh, and my goodness, the Ethiopian spicy tea is great. My partner usually hates tea, and he couldn't stop taking sips of mine; he said he may have to become a "tea convert." The crowd was very small for dinner, which breaks my heart a bit. We were alone in the restaurant for most of our meal on a Saturday night. If you're looking for an endearing place and a good quality meal, please give Cafe Soleil a try.