kakao

Best hot chocolate/mocha in the area. While the menu is small and would like more variety, they excel in their craft for various ranges of dark chocolate drinks. I like the fact that you can taste the darkness of the chocolate but it’s not too bitter to be off-putting for a cafe drink, and this is coming from someone who prefers sweeter drinks. It’s the perfect blend for a reasonable price. I do wish the space didn’t feel as open, but that’s very minuscule nitpick.

Nice espresso. Surprised by the size of the space and the nearly complete emptiness at 8am. Barista was very nice, but could easily get overwhelmed if there was more than the 3 customers in the 30 minutes I was there. They were out of every mocha option besides one when I went.

One of the best hot chocolates I’ve ever had! I got the 63% and it was the perfect amount of sweetness balanced with creamy, rich chocolate. I will be back to try their mochas as I saw they use Herkimer beans!!

Nice++ addition to the coffee scene in Westlake. Very humble & simple barebone coffee shop, lots of seating room. Coffee was A+ Customer service and friendliness of the Staff A**. They have a piano which sometimes is manned by folks who should stick to their garage 😆. Nice and clean bathrooms which are well maintained. Definitely my go to location while I wait for my colleague down the street.

This place has great strong coffee, my cappuccino was made perfect with delicious thicc foam.

A wonderful place to enjoy a mocha and get some work done. The staff are incredibly kind and will happily help find the right drink for you.

Chocolate + coffee. This is quaint little spot with an industrial feel in South Lake Union (SLU). Lots of Amazonians coming in and out but overall really quiet. The menu is simple but the quality is exceptional. Plus, who doesn't like a chocolate bar? Wish there was more than the blank walls but it seems like that's just part of the decor. I had a mocha and it's good either iced or hot.

Amazing chocolate based drinks and welcoming staff. The best mocha I've ever had.

Such a fan of this cute little spot! It's actually a decently sized space! Lots of areas to sit. The ambiance is nice and open and has a modern feel to it. Service was really friendly and prices are reasonable for the drinks. I got the house hot chocolate with oat milk (they also had soy and almond options as alternatives for dairy). The hot chocolate was delicious! Not too sweet but still creamy! I definitely want to try their other varieties! My husband got the sipping chocolate and they also tasted divine!

This is a cute space! There were a lot of folks working or meeting while I was there. There also seems to be a community gathering space in the back? It's dog friendly too! I liked the vahlrona mocha and would love to come back and try some of the others. They also had some unique chocolates for sale too. The baristas were helpful, despite one of them saying they were a volunteer, they were able to help me decide on what drink would be best.

As I was waking past, I saw this shop reopening so I decided to stop by. They're open 3 days a week, Tu-Th, and advertise as a coffee shop and work space, and I think they've succeeded! The inside is airy and comforting, and there were quite a few people there working in the calm ambiance. I went to order, and the barista explained to me what they're known for (their chocolate drinks). I had intended to get a chai but figured I'd try one of their fancy hot chocolates, since I am not a coffee/mocha drinker. I got my drink in a reasonable time frame, and it was great! Really thick and creamy, and a gold chocolatey flavor! Not too sweet at all, and I'm sure the darker cacao contents would be even more chocolatey if that's what you're into. Will be back!

Coffee and chocolate are wonderful, open airy space to read, work, or just have conversation.

Update: I came in again for a nonfat milk latte. Their WiFi was down but I only had Apple Pay, so they offered me a free latte!!! Thank you! *** Love that they do double shots (and specified that in their menu) for espresso drinks! $3.75 (tax included) for 8oz latte, 0.75 (tax included) for alt milk, very good price for decent coffee in this area, esp. when they come with latte art. Their chocolate sample by the checkout is delicious too.

I went to Kakao to meet up with a friend for coffee. It was an alright place. The hot chocolate that I had was great. I went during rush hour time, and surprisingly the place was not crowded at all. The customer service was a different story. The reason I gave three stars is because the customer service was severely lacking. There was one guy behind the desk and he did not even acknowledge myself or the other woman who was standing there. It also took forever to get my drink, which was annoying. I mean yes, I had time, but not all the time in the world. geesh. It has a very cozy and comfortable atmosphere, which I liked. There is not a lot of seating space, but at the time I went, there were several empty seats, so it was not a problem finding seating. It had a cool hipster, modern minimalist vibe going on, which was peaceful. The place also has like a larger room where you can host work meetings and such and I believe the room was for rent. I would go back, but only if they had more than one barista working.

Definitely the place to go if you are a chocolate lover! They have sipping chocolate, got chocolate and a large variety of different chocolate bars! I had the salted hot chocolate and molasses cookie, which was delicious. They also have a decent seating area to just hang out and have your coffee or hot chocolate.

Coffee/chocolate hangout in front, event space in back, I haven't seen/heard anything else like this in Seattle. Come take a break here vs. a big coffee chain where they also have hot chocolate - actual melted chocolate from around the world - and others to nibble, that's what I come in for as I don't do coffee. I've come in here and received a tour of their event space they have in the back for consideration of renting it out for a non-profit holiday party. It's a large room that holds up to 25 round tables or 299 people theatre style. They had a grand piano for rent, with a full kitchen and external catering was allowed and AV. It's an alternative small space for a company gathering or even a wedding on a budget. They also have a small conference room, for a lack of a better word, that holds up to 16 people that is available through reservations. Kakao is not open Saturdays-Sundays as they use those days for the events. They may also be closed during the week, as I've stumbled upon this a couple times, for an event. Parking stinks in SLU as a whole. There are a couple designated spots by the entrance.

One of my favorite places to get some work done or to meet up with friends. Their hot chocolate is amazing, and you can choose between several different varieties and darkness levels. The wifi is solid and reliable. This space is occasionally used for other events, and there maybe been times when I had to leave before their closing hours because they had a private event going on. 8pm closing time on weekdays, but I really wish they were open on weekends too.

After walking by this place a few times I had to stop in. I ordered a house mocha and got settled at a table in the quiet open space. It was the perfect atmosphere to relax and get some work done or read a book. As nice as the space was, the coffee will keep me coming back. The house mocha was so amazing I'd struggle to order anything else but there were so many other things to try -- especially the hot chocolate options. I think the prices were also very reasonable. Check it out!

Husband and I were walking around in the SLU area and yelped for coffee near me, Kakao popped up as #1! We ordered the affagato (my favorite!) and the 85% mocha with a caprese sandwich to share. Both coffees were awesome. This was the first time we saw multiple options in mocha to choose the chocolate type! The caprese however, was a little disappointing, I don't know if it was the type of cheese or they actually added sugar(!!!), but we weren't pleased with the sweet taste.

Delicious and artisan hot chocolate in South Lake Union! I came here on a weeknight with some girlfriends, and ordered the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. It was so delicious, but I didn't taste much of the Salted Caramel flavor until the very last sip. They also sell artisan chocolate and have plenty of seating, and service good as well! They may even let you sample their decadent sipping chocolate, do it!! So good! I look forward to trying other beverages here soon!

Kakao Chocolate is a spacious, coffee shop with an industrial feel. They sell a small handful of specialty chocolates, though I've seen most of them before (Theo, Dandelion) and many you can also purchase at Whole Foods. I decided to order an Americano with chocolate to get a taste of both their coffee and chocolate, as I wanted something not too sweet or rich. The barista was really friendly, but I felt that even with a little chocolate it was too sweet and had to throw it away after a few sips. Not super impressed by their chocolate, espresso, or by the bar or pastry selections. I bet their drinking chocolate and hot chocolate are great, but as a choco-holic I think that would be too overwhelming for my taste buds.

I love it here! Such a beautiful setting to catch up with friends or get some work done. And the drinks are amazing!

A friend and I decided to come here because we were stuck in traffic heading out of this area and thought, might as well stop in here and wait through the traffic. There is a private parking lot and I love that Kakao is open until 8pm. (Unlike other coffee shops that generally close around 6-7pm) They are known for their chocolate products so my friend got a Hot Chocolate but since I can't really drink hot chocolate (because I get nose bleeds, tragic I know) I got a London Fog. Both were really good and of course made to order! The space itself is very spacious and modern. A lot of dark furniture and exposed walls with high ceilings. I can see this being a spot for people to meet and catch up over a drink, without having to be at a noisy bar. They do server beer and wine from what I saw so this would be a great place to work and enjoy a glass if that's what floats your boat.

Nice cafe with their own parking, which is great. It is also spacious. I ordered house mocha. It was quick and cool.

One of the best beans in Seattle. Espresso is not overly acidic, it's slightly tart but disappears almost immediately and it has a nice body (I like my body too). This is a nod to Herkimer coffee, because Kakao utilizes Herkimer beans and Herkimer also educates Kakao baristas! Either way, good beans!! Also, for large events, they have ample space.

The cafe seems to be almost like under construction so not the prettiest setting but the hot chocolate I got was pretty good. I got the 72% one and it was not too sweet and had good taste of chocolate

Kakao is a quaint cafe at the Westlake avenue area. Husband and I were walking back home from work and wanted to indulge in some cuppa. That's when we bumped into Kakao. The cafe offers alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. We ordered for a Chai tea , hot chocolate ( soya milk) with cinnamon and an Almond Croissant. The hot chocolate was a delight. It wasn't over sweet and paired up well with the Croissant. The Croissant had a tender filling of almond. It was wonderful to bite into. The Chai tea however was extremely sweet and hence was quite disappointing. The place is huge and they have a lot of tables but they are spaced right . Hence a conversation of one table stays confined to one which is what one needs am I right? We were charged 12.50$ for the above! The place is wallet friendly and I am sure to be back for more goodies.

Unique coffee shop with plenty of work space, plugs, and relaxing ambience. I came here in a Friday at 4pm when I was early for another engagement. This multipurpose coffee shop uses its resources well. In addition to the typical caffeine series, they have nice chocolates as well as chocolate drinks. The pastries looked tasty. I got an almond croissant which had strong almond tastes, unlike many places that cover up the taste with sugar. They also have an alcoholic beverage menu and an event space with a grand piano. what I also like is that they have one price for tea and they even asked me what size cup I'd like. I never understood the places thst charged more for larger cups of hot water! The baristas were professional and allowed me plenty of time to browse the menu.

Pricey, but not obscenely so considering they use high end chocolates in their mochas and for hot chocolate drinks. I will be back!

What a neat place. You almost don't notice it from the street so you guys look close! A cute place that was absolutely packed when I got there, no tables at 5pm! Luckily someone was leaving so we were able to snatch that one. I ordered the salted caramel hot cocoa and it was pretty good! Tasted delicious however the only real time I reacted the salt aspect was perfectly in my first two stops and horribly in my last two stops. As the salt was all at the bottom - those were not pleasant sips. The inside is nice & cute. The service was great as the lady took her time to explain their drinks to us.

I really like this coffee shop. It's a really large space with plenty of seating for various desires. Want to sit with someone and have a chat? They have several two tops. Want to snuggle in a chair with a book and block out everyone with your headphones? There are a couple of chairs to snuggle in. Want a lot of space to spread out all of your papers and BE CREATIVE? Lo and behold, they have that too. The drinks are good with good coffee, teas, and liquid chocolates. Hot and cold beverages alike. The only downside to this place is that there is no air conditioning so during the summertime, be take a spot close to the fan and you're golden. Overall, great place to work and have a good drink.

Spacious and quiet coffee shop. Shabby chic furniture in a industrial space. I personally think the place needs a little warming up. Came in at 1pm looking for a cup ice coffee. They were out of regular coffee so substituted for Americano, that works but it was a bit watered down for me. I also wanted a chocolate fix, they had chocolate candy bars, chocolate chip cookies and gluten free brownies. Chocolate chip cookie was fantastic but I was hoping for a larger selection with a name such as kakao. I have read their hot chocolate is good, so maybe I'll try that next time.

This is one of my favorite spots to do work and enjoy good coffee! Their mochas are delicious and the valronha is really special. Their WiFi has never been a problem and I love that they have different style chairs and plenty of nooks to get cozy in. Their chocolate brownies are also awesome and I love when I see one in the day old section, score! They are delicious a day after.

Service: good Drinks: good Had a short business meeting here. Space is very basic but much quieter than some of the other coffee shops in the area. I enjoyed my tea (jasmine green). Would come back!

Favorite coffee date in SLU, great to work from - quiet, spacious, good coffee, friendly baristas. Ample seating with a loft-like feel. For non-coffee drinkers, a beautiful selection of housemade treats, local chocolates and drinking chocolate ranging in cocoa content for those who like it dark, as well as different flavored hot chocolates. Prices are average. A small back parking lot, otherwise street parking in SLU. Kakao also doubles as fantastic event space! Hosts unique, interesting events afterhours - have enjoyed breakfast events, book releases and charity happy hours here.

Came here after lunch to settle down our food coma and get sweets for dessert. We got Hot Chocolate and the Sipping Chocolate that the barista recommended. The Hot Chocolate is a very classic milk chocolate-y tasting drink that leans more towards the milky side than the rich chocolate. Perfect complement to the Sipping Chocolate which was super rich (like you melted the richest flavored chocolate I have ever had and sipping in liquid form). The place is nice, spacious and minimal. Located next to what looks like a startup office space and theater, so has that very forward-thinking startup feel to it. Overall this is a great place to catch up with friends (coffee dates) or just come by yourself to study/do work. Would come here again.

Tasty frothy latte. Place is quite large but not as many seats. People were here doing some work a weekday morning. Seems pretty ideal for a spot here. Place has a large windows so you can people watch at the same time.

Love this place. The staff is always friendly and takes great care of me. The chocolate selection is fresh and includes some of the up and coming craft chocolate makers that are difficult to find. The sipping chocolate is so thick! Drink it fast or be prepared for it to thicken enough to eat with a spoon (yes they provide a really cute little spoon). Clean spaces, meeting room available. Tons of natural light. Comfy furniture and tables close to outlets for recharging those mobile devices. Free wifi!! A few parking spots are available then there is always street parking too. Looking forward to my next visit.

WOW. I don't often or perhaps ever say this. BUT dude. Kakao has the greatest hot chocolate on earth. What makes it so great you say? Let me describe to you my hot chocolate experience at Kakao. TASTE: Its chocolate but its delicious chocolate. Not too sweet and not too bitter. Kind of a semi-sweet chocolate yet not overpowering. THICK: I like my hot chocolate thick and this place has got it going on. The chocolate is full both in flavor and in volume. The chocolate's definitely got great texture. SMOOTH: The hot chocolate is smooth. Its got a nice thick consistency but flows like no other. VARIETY: I'm usually the guy to go for a normal americano, or plain vanilla ice cream, but I decided to be adventurous and order the Barista's special. My drink was a lavender, cardamom hot chocolate verona and it was amazing. I had the chance to sip my friends straight hot chocolate verona and it too was good. I've only been once now but I really enjoyed the base hot chocolate and the additions. Feel free to be adventurous and not be disappointed! Happy eating friends :)

Had a chance to dive headfirst into many of their beverage offerings, and none disappointed or waned. For those looking for something less caffeinated but still delicious, the London Fog is an early grey latte, lightly sweetened to perfection without overpowering the flavor of the tea. Filling, this is a great option on a cold and overcast day. They whip out the drinks quite fast, but the espresso-based ones (cappuccino, macchiato, latte) still maintain a high quality and rich taste. The cardamom hot cocoa is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth and a distaste for coffee/caffeinated drinks. A nice twist on an old fashion cocoa. They also have 3oz shots of sipping chocolate made with valrhona, celaya, and guittard chocolate. Also in stock are fall specials like those pumpkin lattes, maple flavorings, etc. They've thinned out their "chocolate library" a bit, making it appear a little more sparse, but easier to navigate without feeling overwhelmed with options. The counter is covered in an array of glass dishes and platters filled with pastries and other goodies like macarons. Don't let the term "gluten-free" deter you from trying the brownie. It's super moist, light, airy, and really delicious. They've updated their music selection since I've last visited, and they stream amazing and mellow tunes, enjoyable, and at a comfortable volume so working or holding meetings is definitely an option. The loft space overhead remains impressive, and in the back, there is a large open area for special events.

This place is over priced for starters. The "barista" was very rude. He didn't like explaining the menu to a first person there. I started to order and before I could finish he total us out. I didn't even get to order a drink. I definitely suggest going across the street where not only do explain all the drinks happily, they are so much better!!!

Quite surprised by how nice this place turned out! I've been walking by for maybe a year now peeking in as they renovated the event space and wondering if the Cafe would become a reality. Surprise! Beautiful open space... great furniture and a good amount of light from the street windows and the upper ceiling area windows (it's an old electrical shop or something industrial feeling). I would like to work from there a lot... ended up staying about 2 hours today. It has the feel of an art gallery now (had a fabulous show up made from cement rather than canvas!), with chocolate added on, and a conference room area in the back that seems to be free to reserve (though not quite as private as Uptowns)! Coffee (herkimer) was great... had the standard americano and it totally held it's own. Pastries were pretty good too and they even warmed em up for me though i'm not sure that's normal. free wifi of course and comfortable padded window seat for the long (laptop) haul days... (someone was doing a photoshoot in the big room so i kept seeing flashes off the ceiling and felt like i was on a movie set... though they kept it quiet) looks like main downside will be it's only open til 4pm, but maybe they'll expand as it grows.

I don't know why people hate on this place. I think they offer unique items in a unique space. I love that you can hold events in their back room. I saw people setting up for an event and it was looking really good. They have a great selection of chocolate. They will make any sipping chocolate, which is great to try at least once. Especially if you are a tourist, this is a fun place to stop into on a rainy day. Don't take it too seriously and you'll love it.

Best cinnamon-infused mocha, hands down. Plus they have an enormous variety of chocolate - which are all gourmet and way better than the junk you buy at the grocery store. Plus - the decor is amazing. If I could ever afford it - I would definitely want to hold some type of event in their space (wedding reception type thing). SO beautiful. Only reason they didn't get 5 stars is because so many times I've gone, they have been closed for private Amazon events and I can't get my coffee fix. Only downfall about the location they are in since they are in SLU.

It's a fav for me. Delicious sippinG chocolates, coffees and friendly staff. A must visit. Highly recommend.

Great space! it's bright. there are displays of chocolate. a bit expensive, but if you're in the mood, why not? i got a woodblock chocolate from oregon (salt & nibs, 70% cacao) for $4. i felt like i was splurging on this little, less than an ounce chocolate bar, but it was good. their cold brew coffee + coconut syrup concoction was odd (this was an actual drink, I just forget the name). I got it with sugar-free syrup, and it was insanely sweet, even after I had the barista pour out some and fill it w/coffee and water to dilute it. I wasn't a fan of their cold brew. I got some cold tea featured on their specials to replace this drink, and I was disappointed again with it being too mild. They also have a big rectangular space with a stage adjacent to the cafe area for event rentals. We asked about it for a potential party we wanted to throw, and for a Friday night, with the party ending at 11pm, it was $2500.

Coffee, a variety of craft chocolate, chill vibes, ample seating space, and a short walk from all the other SLU goodies. This is a nice place to work and enjoy some artisan chocolate and freshly brewed coffee.

I found an instant Groupon to this coffee shop on Sunday and decided to stop in. I actually had never heard of it before, even though recently I've been going to several other coffee shops in South Lake Union. I decided to wander off the hill and see what this place was like. When first stepping inside it's hard to avoid noticing the big spacious layout. The friendly barista mentioned they have an event space in the back area for parties or gatherings, but the front area is dedicated to the cafe. I ordered a mocha, which I personally thought was excellent. I liked the taste of the chocolate and they stirred up the mocha, which is always a plus in my book. Really, who wants to drink a mocha and see a big clump of chocolate at the bottom. There were lots of tables nicely spaced apart and the Wifi here is very fast! Sadly, it's not open very late on weekdays, but it definitely earned a spot on my must return list!

Kakao is a must-stop every time I come through Seattle. As a non-coffee drinker, I often crave the warmth of something similar set in a hip, calm space. Kakao delivers on both accounts. I always get the darkest sipping chocolate with almond milk and it is beyond excellent. The baristas are friendly and accommodating, always making me feel at home. The shop itself is quiet enough to work but also busy enough to have a meeting if you need. They even have a full event space! Stop in and you won't be disappointed!

On a recent afternoon visit to Kakao, the cafe was packed and the line out the door. With only one barista on staff, the wait to order a drink was about five minutes and another five minutes for the drink to be prepared. I ordered a hot chocolate with cardamom, and it was worth the wait. With ground cardamom spice sprinkled on top, the hot chocolate itself was a good balance of creamy and frothy. Not too rich (for a rich drink, I recommend the sipping chocolate). I was inspired to create my own hot chocolate with milk steeped in cardamom pods. There are sipping chocolates, hot chocolates, and mocha varieties to pick and choose from. A London Fog drink (earl grey tea latte) is also available for those looking for a non-chocolate drink, and an assortment of chocolates for those needing an additional chocolate fix.

Awesome little coffee and chocolate shop in SLU. Cute atmosphere and quiet place to work or catch up on a good book.

Glad this place exists.. I love the hot chocolate in europe (which is essentially like melted chocolate) and Kakao offers 3-4 variety of this! They also have normal hot chocolate (more water-y), lattes, coffees, and small baked goods. Many people come here for meetings or breaks, it's always pretty busy when I come between 1-5PM on weekdays.

Best mochas! I always get the 85% cacao mocha and it's always sooo good! I imagine it is healthier than your typical mocha in other cafes but not sure, certainly of higher quality considering the fancy chocolate they use. Good hangout space to rub elbows with Amazon programers and I think they have church services on Sundays which is interesting!

Wonderful spot here in the Amazon office row area. Medium selection of artisan chocolate, pastries, coffee and of course hot chocolate. I ordered the salted Carmel hot chocolate. I should have ordered the 12oz. It's amazing. It's wonderful. It's perfect for a chilly day in Seattle. The spot is big and would be great to host your next event or meet up. Nice and low key with people conversing in the background.

They have a really nice chocolate collection! Ask for their opinion and they would tell you what each chocolate taste like. And I love the atmosphere!! Super cozy and Seattle like. Very nice little getaway place around South Lake Union. Their coffee are tasty as well, would recommend for coffee breaks and Sunday afternoon when you want to read a book at a coffee shop! ;)

Bomb. I was walking down the street when I saw this place, and honestly it just had good vibes. Nice, spacious cafe with a pretty simple menu. I got the London Fog with what I think tasted like Earl Grey tea base. It was actually one of the best London Fogs that I've ever had. A little on the sweeter side which is how I prefer it. The barista made it pretty quickly, and was fun to chat with. Nice cafe, if I were from the area, I could definitely see myself frequenting this place! tldr; cafe with great vibes, would be a good place to catch up with friends, do work, etc.

Kakao left a wonderful impression on me while staying in Seattle a few weeks ago in early June 2016. I happened upon the café along Westlake Avenue North on my morning walk and immediately fell in love with the shop's mantra 'chocolate + coffee + community' -- 3 qualia in life that I think most people can come together around and believe in. Before you even get to fully approach the coffeebar -- elegantly-arranged, muti-tiered tables with simple shelving lusciously display Kakao's thoughtfully-curated chocolate, coffee and sundry gift products with a Mac-Store-like yet warm, pristine serenity. The presentation of these comestible goods immediately brings you into the special mindset of this space that sings with taste and sound, both soothing and simultaneously exciting to wander with subconscious, comforting exploration. The barista greeted me in a professional and pleasant way -- such a fantastic way to start my especially early morning walk. With a bit of guidance I decided to get the Mocha Grande, Valhrona to go ( although I wanted to stay and sit and meditate to really enjoy the space and place ), a very smooth and subtle hot espresso drink enhanced with a melted chocolate from the French premium chocolate manufacturer, Valhrona. And then, when asked to further elaborate on 'chocolate + coffee + community,' the barista pointed out the open space behind a curtain to the side. Kakao uses this space to host various local events -- talks, open mikes, family occasions and so on -- bringing a unique and tasteful vision to how local business and the people of an area can harmoniously compliment each other in a meaningful and truly inspiring way. I highly recommend stopping by Kakao if you get a chance. I loved everything about it ( obviously ).