Cafetal Quilombo Cafe

I have been to Cafetal Quilombo several times. I try something different each time and today, the enchilada plate with green sauce blew my mind. It's definitely my favorite dish so far! I've also tried the torta, tacos, and tamales--all delicious. I love that this is a small family owned establishment. Very friendly service. Has a distinct local/neighborhood vibe. The flavors are on point. I prefer to support businesses like this. They also have an espresso machine with a full coffee menu :)

Great authentic Mexican food. Tortas, burritos, pupusas and tamales are delicious and they have a wide variety of options. Also they have really good mangonadas. Highly recommend

Amazing quality food that’s actually affordable! Tried the chai latte, breakfast burrito (small) and a tamale. All GREAT. Can’t wait to go back and give them more of my money. Update: 9 months later and I’m still obsessed. Considering moving down the street so I can go every day…

If you are like me and appreciate funky little neighborhood eateries with good food, then Cafetal Quilombo is the place for you. It is located among a nondescript sliver of small businesses on the busy street of Colombian Way in South Seattle. I wish I could tell you more about the menu, but I am stuck on the few things that I really like and only buy at this location. They have the absolute best queso dip of any I have ever tasted. The portion is generous and is flavorful with just the right amount of spicy kick that I have never tasted in other quesos. I have had chilaquiles with Carnitas (pork) and with chicken and both are excellent, generous portions with lots of meat and dressed with lots of ingredients. I love a good chili rellenos, however I think theirs has just a bit too much breading for my taste. They have good tamales, and while many think they are some of the best in Seattle, I consider them good, but not necessarily the best. They have pupusas, which are not found in many Mexican eateries. But they lack variety. Each time I’ve ordered them the choice is only bean and cheese. But they are good. If I can break away from my usuals and taste other things, I will let you know. In the meantime, hope I meet you at Cafetal Quilombo.

This is a good, no frills and authentic Mexican Food restaurant. The tortillas were homemade and very fresh. I ordered 4 different tacos, birria and chips & salsa. The pork and chorizo tacos were excellent, the chicken mole and asada tacos were okay. The birria was good, but I prefer queso birria (birria with cheese). Overall, this is a good and very affordable Mexican Restaurant.

Ordered cafe de Olla and took tamales to go. Great coffee, food, friendly service and very reasonable prices

Delicious food and coffee, while surprisingly cheap. Staff are all great, and the mole is a standout. The mole chilaquiles is my favorite, and it's a massive portion I can never finish.

The food here is authentic and delicious! It reminds me of my grandma and aunts cooking and they’re from Mexico! Will always eat here anytime I’m in Seattle. Everything was delicious we even ordered dinner to go at lunch time so we can eat it again later! Highly recommend! Everything is fresh and made to order! They are also willing to customize my order with extras and made it perfect!!!!

Set the scene, I was absolutely desperate for some amazing tacos. So I did a yelp search for tacos in my area with over four stars and great reviews, and I found this place. This restaurant clicked all the boxes for me. Family owned check, authentic, Mexican food, check, cute Mexican decor, check and delicious food with some unique options to order, check. What really got me was the reviews on the tamales. I haven't had a great tamale in years, so I was anxious to try it. I ordered the taco plate and a chicken tamale. And they were delicious if I had anything to say, it would be to increase the spice level of the meat in the tamale. The tacos, the fried beans and the rice was good. I would definitely be back again. And everything was reasonably priced. A whole meal was under 12 bucks. Service was good too .

I work within walking distance to this Mexican cafe and frequent it with coworkers several times a year. Staff is always nice and patient, food is made to order and salsas are flavorful. We've ordered for catering as well and they were very considerate in packaging the food for us, if you are looking for a nice, lowkey Mexican spot on Beacon Hill I would definitely recommend stopping through here. This last visit I (finally) snapped pics before I dug in, elotes in a cup, and two asada tacos

This is my favorite Mexican food in Seattle. I know that sounds like hyperbole, but I mean it. I crave Quilombo more than any other Mexican food. The chile relleno burrito is damn near perfection. Their tamales are magic. Their salsas are delicious. Even their agua frescas are mind-bendingly delicious.

I live two blocks away from Quilombo and I plan on including that mention when I sell my house. So lucky to live so close to this place. I am an enchilada junky and I love both sauce options, verde and roja. Perfectly spiced meat and sauce wrapped in homemade corn tortillas. The tacos and the tamales are excellent. I have also had the cherizo breakfast burrito and really enjoyed it. Flavor flavor and flavor are the three best words to describe this place. Prices are very affordable and if you don't love the staff, it's not them, it's you.

This is a wonderful tiny little hole in the wall, family run, the food is great and they do coffee , a must visit

Los tamales son deliciosos! La comida está excelente y el servicio estupendo. La salsa que vende es igual que la que hacemos en casa.

Might be the best tamales I have had in Seattle!!! Reasonable prices, quick service. Go check them out!

We heard of this place through intentionalist so decided to give it a try. The place is small but it has a more homey vibe with a Mexican flare. You order at the counter and then they give you a number when it's ready. The guys are pretty nice. We got a pork taco plate which came with 2 tacos, rice and beans as well as a birria taco on the side. The tacos was really good! I enjoy the softness of the tortilla but it was still sturdy. The pork was not dry and they put a lot in there and I didn't miss any of the pickled veggies I usually put on tacos. The birria was saucy and also really enjoyable. Overall, it was a good spot to hit if you're in the area :)

I got a birria quesadilla which came with beans and rice which was around $15 w/tip. The food was served hot (if it's not burning I don't want it, jk). Food was yummy and it felt like a home cooked meal.

Hole-in-wall-esque Mexican spot in South Seattle. The five stars was for the Chili Relleno Burrito ($10.75), which I've been dying to try for a while. It didn't look like much but it was pure, cheesy, ooey, tasty goodness. Also ordered the chicken mole plate ($12.50), this was just okay. Their house made sauces / salsas are also incredible. Kind staff who brought our food directly to us :)

We've been here several times - whenever we're in Seattle for appts. The people are great - friendly and helpful. The food is great too - with generous portions. Even the teas are fantastic. And it's fun to wait and notice the eclectic group of Customers waiting - locals mostly. Love it! Don't let the outside sway you away - inside awaits you!

This is a good, no frills and authentic Mexican Food restaurant. The tortillas were homemade and very fresh. I ordered 4 different tacos, birria and chips & salsa. The pork and chorizo tacos were excellent, the chicken mole and asada tacos were okay. The birria was good, but I prefer queso birria (birria with cheese). Overall, this is a good and very affordable Mexican Restaurant.

A really solid spot for Mexican food in Beacon Hill. I tried both the chilaquiles with carne asada and the pork tamal. The chilaquiles were my favorite of the two things I tried as it had a really great proportion size and tasted very comforting. The tamale was good and cheap. Overall good food for a low price you can't find at most places nowadays. The servers were also really kind. The space is very small so just be aware of that if you dine in.

Good prices and great food. I flew in from Chicago the other day and the first place we went to grab food right after the flight was here. I was hangry and this cured that so fast! I ate 3 tamales at the resturant and took a few to go. The tamales are very well portioned, eating 3 was a lot but was good for me. The cashier was super sweet and we enjoyed talking to him as we were ordering and during our meal. Authentic Mexican food with great vegan tamale options!! P.s. the menu I saw online didn't have all the vegan tamales listed, so if you're ordering through the phone make sure to ask about all the options.

What a fantastic spot for incredibly fresh and scratch made Mexican food. The Tamales are indeed worthy of the hype. I had the mole and it was so rich and the furthest thing from dry tamales you might have had before. The pozole was recommended by a guest as he was leaving and he was so right - it was incredible. Sooo flavorful and well balanced. I came with my toddler and she ate the entire bowl of rice. I couldn't blame her, it was super moist and yummy! The star of the show though, if that's possible at a place where everything was delicious, was the coffee. I came her because of a TikTok review of the coffee and she was so right. The Cafe Ola drink has no creamer or sweetener yet it is so creamy, smooth and flavorful. It's sweet and aromatic and unlike anything I've ever had before. Such a cool spot - highly recommend! I drove in from the 'burbs and it was totally worth it

Really recommend this place! My favorite was the tamales. The portion size was large and the tamales were moist with good flavor. I got one beef and one chicken. Seemed like a family owned business with a really friendly vibe. Good service and gave good recommendations. They had a variety of salsas to add. Tamales were really filling and pretty cheap, good value.

Chilaquiles here are top-tier (not soggy at all, good ratio of meat/chips) and the people are so nice! Generous portions at a reasonable price, everything tastes fresh and super flavorful

This is really the only place we go to for tamales now. They're a little on the pricier side, but the tamales are huge. Love supporting a local business, staff are always friendly. We haven't tried too many other menu items yet, but will be back soon to try more.

Love the flavors of the food and place! Warm and cozy! So many options both morning and later.

Great little joint up on Beacon Hill! A bit divey on the inside but the food is great! Stuff tried: Tamales: these are some of the best tamales in Seattle! rajas con queso is their most popular one. The masa is not stodgy at all and has a lighter texture than most. It is delicious! The bean and cheese one is a little heavier but tasty too. Chiles relleno burrito: where has this been all my life? Basically, a chiles relleno plate (with rice and beans) stuffed into a burrito. Makes this not so portable dish portable! I will never eat chiles relleno any other way! Chiles relleno plate: okay sometimes i dont want to eat a burrito and want just want the standard plate version. The rice is quite delicious and must have been cooked in some broth or something because it has great flavor. With the corn tortillas this is great comfort food They offer a lot more tamale options that i still need to try and have pupusas too! Come get some!

Chile Relleno Burrito! Tamales. Amazing service. Coffee shop with tables. Been coming here for years, wonderful family business. For me, the Chile Relleno Burrito exists in a category it's own. Convenient, simple, like a burrito. Surprising, delicious, veggie with the Relleno inside.

This cafe is a mix of several different offerings. They offer breakfast drinks and food like a regular cafe, Mexican food for lunch and dinner that's very authentic, and even items to go like tamales, which they have a lot of options to choose from. I purchased their Mexican food to go and the price was very reasonable (~$11 for a combo). The portions aren't very large which I actually appreciate since it was the perfect amount. The rice and beans were excellent, and the meat was fresh and flavorful without being too greasy or fatty. I do wish they would include salsa with the meal instead of charging extra since I like to spice up my food, but I do think it's great that it's optional for those who don't need it. Parking is also a bit challenging since it's located on a busy street without a lot of parking options. Overall it's a great place with tasty food and great service.

AUTHENTIC tasting, FRESH, DELICIOUS! After being with my ex and his family from Mexico for a couple of years, I've REALLY missed their cooking. This felt like home cooked goodness. 10/10 recommend! Also, always support small businesses! They're the best.

We are in town visiting friends and they brought us here for our last meal... EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! The flavors in that chicken tinga

I had the pleasure of selling a car to the owner of this restaurant where he proceeded to invite me into his restaurant and treat me as if I was family. I moved here from Arizona and have had the hardest time finding Mexican food that competes with back home and I have to say this place was all that and more! Will definitely Be back and recommend anyone to come eat there! Best food in Seattle no doubt about it!

Excellent food and service. I met the owners son Emmanuel today and his mom was preparing the food and his Tia was in the kitchen. I felt like I was welcomed into their family. As a person of color I am all about supporting local businesses of color. 6 stars for the amazing warmth I experienced. Portion sizes were great.

Their tamales are the best in town and the staff is incredibly welcoming. The tacos are also excellent

I came to this place because of the positive reviews. THIS PLACE DID NOT DISAPPOINT. The Horchata Latte (cold) was EVERYTHING. Thee best Horchata latte I've ever had. 5 Stars for the Horchata latte and the tamales were delicious! The staff were very friendly and helpful. Shout out to Manuel and his family. I appreciate the service they provided for me. Great spot to eat, journal, and do some work. Highly recommend! I will visit again!

The food is amazing and the service is 10/10 they are great ppl and are always nice to me and my friends when we come in

Really really good stuff from this cafe. Low key one of my favorite places here in Seattle. None of that amalgamated glop you find at other places. Lots of vegetarian and a few vegan tamiles too. The place can be a little chaotic but worth the wait! My favorites are the nopales and vegetable tamales and the breakfast chilaquiles with just eggs

"Best Tamale in Seattle"????? I would say not likely. This place has okay tamales. I would say the flavor inside doesn't come out as much as you would like it to. Pupusa was also underwhelming I would give this a 3/5 but its a family owned place so a good 4/5 for me.

Riquisima comida!! I order 2 dozen tamales for my office holiday party and they were soooo good! And a great hit! Masa was well seasoned. I had a bean and cheese and the beans had great flavor. My coworker had the rajas and he said "10 out of 10!" Great service too! Parking was surprisingly easy! Just pulled up right out front.

We had the cafe de olla which was like a sweet cold brew and the breakfast burritos with the green salsa were yummy. Definitely coming back for the tamales.

These tamales might just be the best in the world. Incredibly fresh and they are big! The horchata is also excellent. Gracias

Excellent Food And Drinks. Love The Breakfast Burritos and Carne Adovada Tacos. Tasty Iced Triple Shot Mocha Drink Too!

A small neighborhood cafe serving a variety of coffee, teas, specialty drinks, and comfort food! I frequent this place mostly for the drinks. I prefer tea, so I'm always happy to see an offering of drinks that isn't coffee. Here's what I order: - London Fog - Chai Latte - Horchata Unlike some tea lattes that can be watery, the lattes here are always rich and fragrant. This place is family-operated, and you definitely see that in the way they craft their drinks/food. As for food, I like the tacos and breakfast burritos!

Nice quiet chill spot for some good food, coffee and great company. Love the nostalgic things like an old stove and mix of furniture. No odd odors and the staff were nice too. I'd say that locals love this place because people were coming in and picking up food to go as if they've been coming here all the time. I believe it's family owned when I see them all close up and leave in the same car, which I absolutely love it and find it really peaceful when everyone was doing their part in a nice quiet way. Unlike some places where it's rush, yell, make a huge amount of noise and push out mediocre stuff. Not a long wait here, no TVs and nice music. Definitely a spot to go to and let the traffic die down before hitting the road.

These folks make damn tasty food, and are super-nice to boot. The tamales are all excellent, but what keeps bringing me back are the chile relleno burritos. Man. Don't miss their housemade salsas too, and my son's go-to is the tacos combo.

Parking can be a hassle but this a very quaint, family-friendly restaurant. I wouldn't say it's the best for families but it is a cool spot to study, read, or catch up with friends. They also had the football game on TV while I was there. Tamale was yummy and so we're the homemade sauces (check the fridge)!

I found this place listed in an article by someone moving away from Seattle who was naming things she'd miss about the place, and one of them was the tamales here. I'm a tamale fan, so I was curious to try it out on my next visit. Well, I'm from California where good homemade tamales are legion, so my standards are pretty high. Still, I'll say that these were real tamales, not pathetic imitations, and reasonably good, especially if there's no better choices nearby. There are quite a few choices of meats and sauce. I tried two: the red sauce pork was pretty good, but it turns out that chicken mole poblano, much as i like chicken mole, doesn't really work in a tamale.

Pretty good. I came here while waiting for a tow truck and got some food. I got two tamales and decided on one chicken-green and one pork-red. The chicken was awesome and I wish I hadn't gotten the pork because it was rather lackluster. The staff were super nice and I could really see coming back for more chicken tamales and coffee.

The food I've had here is delicious and they make good coffee, too! It's a family business and everyone is so nice. I'm disabled and very hard to understand and there was plenty of patience and kindness!

Amazing service and the food never disappoints a great local place that everyone should visit

Chile relleno burrito. Horchata latte. Best tamales. Blessed to have this shop nearby.

Have been wanting to come here since driving my girlfriend to her Friday night ultimate frisbee games at Jefferson Playfield. It is down the block from the Macpherson's produce stand. Great price for 3 tacos at $1.50 each with delicious salsas in the fridge. When you eat in, you can use the bottles that they have. The nice young man helped me at the front. I had 2 carne asada tacos and a chicken tika taco, washed down by a delicious horchata. The place is quaint and homey inside, and a nice place to sit and grab a bite! The tacos were perfect, with the meat seasoned well. Can't wait to come by next time to try their famous tamales! Also, then stop by at the small Mexican market down the block and grab a few elotes!

My entire family loves this place. The Chile relleno (burrito and plate) are on point. We order this every time we go. I get my burrito without rice, my husband gets it regular. My kids love the bean cheese burrito (6 yo) and the beans and rice (3 yo). The breakfast burrito is tasty and I prefer to get mine without ham. They usually adjust other ingredients to fulfill that space, which I appreciate. Their chips and salsa are typically very good. I did not give 5 stars because the tamales are just ok, they seem a bit dry sometimes. Also they've had watery salsa lately which is frustrating because it won't stick to the chips and runs off the burrito. This only recently became a problem for the salsa, and it's about every other visit we've noticed it. I'd prefer a price increase if it's a cost issue because runny salsa sucks. The ambiance isn't special but I just get takeout so I don't really care that much. Customer service from the older generation is generally fantastic but one of the sons can be less responsive to meeting customer needs.

BEST MEXICAN FOOD! Definitely recommended trying this place. It's very cozy and authentic

You can spend a lot of time trying to find good tamales, and it takes more work than most dishes. You're trying to find the good ones out of a cooler from somebody who sets up on the side of the road, somebody who's under the radar or in the cracks somewhere; you check restaurants too, but they're hit or miss at best. Maybe you give up hope at some point. You eat a lot of tamales with masa so dry they're cracked and falling apart, or it's dense and clumpy, or it's just mush. The fillings might be okay, but who knows? You don't feel like digging through to it if the masa's wrong. You might get maybe a skinny finger of modestly seasoned chicken or pork or something, and sometimes you push the masa aside and maybe get a spoonful out of the middle. This place fixes all that. Great fillings, perfect masa. You walk in and you think maybe it's a coffee shop and that's it--they clearly have lots of people here just to get a good cup of coffee. They use Fonte beans, and I'll vouch for the Americano. It's a great cup. But check the little menu signs--there are tacos, gorditas, burritos, breakfast stuff. And a couple signs dedicated to all the tamales they offer. Pork and chicken with a variety of salsas, chicken with mole, beef, and a rajas and cheese tamal too. Not a huge lineup, but towering in comparison to pretty much everybody else in town. It's a family affair; the guy takes your order and his mom preps the tamales and brings them out. I should say the food since there's more than the tamales we tried, but, damn, those tamales. They're $2.50 a pop and big enough that most people will be stuffed with 2. Cheap meal! You might be able to get them to sell you some to take home, too. They look perfect as soon as you unwrap them, but they're clearly the product of handwork, with interesting little folds and tucks left by the corn husks. They flake off in perfect slabs at the touch of a fork. The chicken mole has tons of flavor without the mole overpowering anything; the pork and chicken salsa versions are each beautifully flavored. The rajas with cheese is a beautiful mildly flavored one--I'd love to try it with a variety of spicier roasted peppers, if they ever create such a version. The salsas in the cooler are amazing--great flavor from the milder ones, and a nice warm kick from the habanero "#9"--not sure if it's supposed to be insanely hot (as in 9 out of 10), but it does have a nice little kick. The setting here is modest; it's a coffee shop witha few tables. The windows and doors feel aged, and the front door doesn't quite close without some encouragement. It's a bustling road right outside. It's a great place to eat awesome comfort food any time, but especially on a cold rainy day. I'm so grateful to have found this place.

Great prices and great food! We stopped by Cafetal Quilombo on a Sunday afternoon to grab a few tamales and tacos. We tried the azada and chicken tinga tacos. Both were very good, with the the chicken tinga being the better of the two. Quite a deal at $1.50 each. The tamales were the best I've had in some time as well. The chicken and pork were both excellent. Prices seem to have raised to $3.00 each, but who can complain with those prices. Also, there's free chipotle, red, and tomatillo salsa in the fridge to jazz things up. A huge lunch for two for $13 with friendly service and great food!