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A Muddy Cup
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
266 NE 45th St(between N Thackeray Pl & N Latona Ave)
Seattle, WA 98105
Neighborhood: Wallingford
(206) 245-1015
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 7 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
52 reviews for A Muddy Cup
Review Highlights
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"They also have mighty-o donuts, and pastries from Le..." In 5 reviews -
"I'm a chai drinker myself, so I always get their chai latte." In 5 reviews -
"Owners seem really friendly so far and that's always a big..." In 3 reviews
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52 reviews in English
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Review from Mark V.
Seattle, WA
5/20/2012
If you're one of those people who believes that an establishment's bathroom reflects the overall care an owner puts into it, then... the bathroom here is impeccable!
A Muddy Cup is an extremely well-run place that's become a neighborhood haunt for me. Matt and Sarah are friendly and knowledgable about coffee. You can't find a comfier place around. Their brewed "Sol Colibri" (Sun Hummingbird) is one of the better non-espresso coffees you'll find, and they constantly have a fresh batch of it ready to be rotated in.
I would not come here if I was looking for a rowdy college cafe vibe like some of the places on the Ave. But if you want a quiet, comfortable, clean place to read/chat with a friend, you can't beat it.
The fish and bird motifs are interesing, too. A bird song cuckoo clock and a salmon ID chart are but some examples of the avian and piscine decor they have.
Wash down an apricot thumbprint with a warm cup of Cafe-Au-Lait and you'll be off to a good AM start. I strongly recommend A Muddy Cup.
*One* piece of advice, though... If you drive to come here, you may want to call and make sure they are open first. -
Review from Marissa S.
Seattle, WA
This has to be the coziest most inviting coffee shop in all of Seattle. I go out of my way to come here whenever I feel like I need a place to relax and feel at home. Even if that means leaving my actual home with its various and sundry furry friends demanding my attention. It's just so much easier to concentrate at this little home away from home.
Plus, at home I don't have someone making me an amazing cup of coffee unless I make it myself. And they can definitely pull a shot, or in my case, 4.
They also offer up a variety of food items, from gluten free and vegan treats from Flying Apron, Skydottir Epic Cookies (A local Gluten free, vegan, and healthy chocolate cookie that tastes AMAZING), to savory items like quiches. Makes a perfect breakfast, lunch, or snack spot.
Also the music is usually perfect. This place is just another reason why I wish I lived in Wallingford. -
Review from Leah H.
10/3/2011
This place is trying really hard to be cosy. But the service is so casual it's not worth paying for.
Muddy Cup is on the way to my boyfriends place so I have tried to stop here often for a pick me up. And often I have found it closed early, opened late or just closed in the middle of their business hours.
When I've been able to get in the coffee was just ok. The pastry options were slim and so I opted for a bagel which I was told to toast myself.
And the "cosy" setup is uncomfortable to me. Like I'm sitting uninvited in someone else's living room.Listed in: Coffee Shop Hop
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Review from Lindsey R.
Seattle, WA
3/4/2012
I really do love this place. Great atmosphere, great coffee, and lots of alternative milks, yummy treats to eat w/your coffee, but I can't get over the fact that they seem to frequently need to close for one reason or another. I know that running an independent business is difficult, but that's why you hire people, so they can cover if you get sick, or if you have some other reason you can't come in. I just feel like it's kind of off-putting to your customers if they can never depend on you beeing there. Once time, I was going to have a meeting with a colleague, and he arrived at A Muddy Cup, saying it was closed. It wasn't a big deal, we went to another place, but it was just kind of disappointing. I've tried to go many other times, and found a sign on the door, and no one in there. Sad.
Also, I was in there one time they WERE actually open, and it felt weirdly quiet, like the music should have been up louder so everyone couldn't hear each other. But that's easy to fix.
Anyway, I love what you're doing Muddy Cup, and you have clever latte names, etc, but I would do whatever you have to do to be consistent with your hours, and put that as the TOP priority. I would love to be able to change this to a 5 star rating!!! -
Review from Matt S.
Seattle, WA
10/20/2011
Muddy Cup is simply awesome, I'm so happy that I found it! It is the coziest shop around the U-District area. As long as you're up for taking a (very short) trek across I-5 into Wallingford, I'd say go for it!
The place is relatively small, but there's tons of desks and chairs scattered about. I love the random assortment of furniture, I feel like someone went on Craigslist and just grabbed a bunch of stuff. Free WiFi and a good seat, that's all a grad student like me needs! And the WiFi actually works! (a problem in a few shops) The music is soft and pleasant, and it isn't too distracting. I haven't been there when it's really busy yet (I heard it can get packed), but so far, the noise level is generally fairly low.
Oh right...coffee! I'm a chai drinker myself, so I always get their chai latte. It's good and creamy and not too sweet. It's a little pricier than some of the U-District shops or your Starbucks, but hey, it's worth it for the place! The baristas are super friendly and there's also a punchcard if you want one. The mugs are also cool (I got a giraffe one) and I appreciate them being green.
Besides the seating arrangement, there's a decent bathroom and the usual self-busing of tables.
What more can I say? Though a little bit off the track from the U-District, I'd definitely recommend Muddy Cup to anyone looking for a warm, friendly atmosphere that is super cozy, especially on those chilly, rainy days :-) -
Review from Amy C.
9/2/2011
We just moved in and didn't have internet, and needed a place to look up some things (namely internet prices). Yelp said this coffee shop was close to home and had internet, so off we went.
Lovely coffee, I keep thinking I should remember to make a note of what coffee each place I go to serves because I'm trying to learn more about it, but I didn't...my bad. But the hazelnut latte I had was smooth and not too sweet.
I also had a something-berry scone (I thought it was blueberry, but he told me it was something else), which was of the bready scone variety but still quite good, and a cheddar biscuit, which was absolutely delicious.
We did get internet, by the way. Clearly, or else I wouldn't be on Yelp. -
Review from Francis C.
Seattle, WA
8/14/2011
I enjoy laid back, but too laid back is a problem. I've been there 4 times. I'd go there more if they were open on Sundays :)
Once, 2 people who worked there were arguing.
Another time, I had sat down to drink my coffee. 5 minutes later, I had to leave because they told me they had just closed because it was slow, which was about 1.5hrs earlier than their business hours.
A third time, I walked over there with my girlfriend and they were closed during normal business hours.
Other than that, this place good. Great coffee, friendly staff, good atmosphere (so long business isn't too slow so you can finish your coffee).
I'll change it to 4 stars after awhile w/out being turned away from abnormal business hours.Comment from Sarah D. of A Muddy Cup 10/13/2011
We are open on Sundays, I noticed this was posted wrong a… More » -
Review from Shraddhanand S.
Seattle, WA
2/18/2012
One star is not for their coffee or the service, in fact I never got a chance to be there. I tried many times though (mostly on Saturdays and Sundays). They are so flaky with their hours, and they don't bother picking up their phone. For example, today I tried calling 3-4 times, to ask if they were actually going to keep it open until 8:00pm. No one picked up the phone, so I drove there anyway only to find out that today they were going to close at 1pm.
Well I guess I will never find out, how their coffee tastes like, because I have no intention to go there again. -
Review from Sarah H.
Seattle, WA
2/12/2012
Love love love! Matt and Sarah are adorable, very friendly and knowledgable about their products. They have put a lot of time and energy into providing the best possible ingredients and the coffee is WONDERFUL. I especially love the hemp milk lattes. Matt's chocolate mix (used in hot cocoas and mochas) is also fantastic.
The shop is very cute and cozy, with a relaxed atmosphere. Parking can be a challenge, but it is a short and worth while walk from the u-district and some of Wallingford. Matt and Sarah also run the place on their own, so the hours aren't the most consistent. Lately, they have been posting changes in hours on their facebook page, so it's worth a look before making the trip over.
This is definitely my favorite coffee shop near the U-district, I recommend it to everyone I can! -
Review from Adriana K.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 1/2/2012
I received a reply to my review from one of the owners, and really appreciated the emphasis on customer service. It was also pointed out that they use Fair trade and Direct Trade coffee beans, which tends to be more expensive - those two factors are reason enough to try it out again!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/27/2011
My friend had mentioned there was a new coffeeshop in Wallingford, and I was excited as I maintain… Read more »
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Review from Sarah E.
Seattle, WA
6/15/2011
My almond milk latte. That's what this is all about.
I found A Muddy Cup after searching for "almond milk latte" on my Yelp app. (So convenient!) I'm no longer drinking soy, and I don't consume dairy. I was excited to see this place offered a variety of alternative options - AND, I drive by it every day on my way to work. Also convenient!
It is definitely a cute espresso bar. It's cozy with ambient lighting. The flow from ordering to waiting for the order is a little bit awkward. Where do I stand while I'm waiting for my coffee so as to not get in the way of others pouring their self-serve drip and cream?
The owners/baristas were nice, but I wouldn't say that it was memorable service. I know customer service comes up in all my reviews, but it's so important. The drink itself was OK - the coffee itself wasn't very rich and I wouldn't say it was outstanding. Though, I do plan to go back--it could have just been an off day or maybe the shots were pulled funny or something.
Overall, I love the alternatives, from vegan and gluten-free treats (yay!) to offering a TON of milk alternatives (yay, again!). But, I admit, I *am* hoping for a tastier latte the next time I come in. -
Review from Teresa M.
5/24/2011
Very cozy little establishment. Coffee prices are average and the coffee was good, it took an average amount of time. Lots of people settle in to study here.
The clientele is a little weird, we had 4 people there and people kept randomly jumping into our conversation. Makes for interesting stories though! Someone gave us algebra tests to take and offered to grade them for us. That has not happened to me before. I'm an out of towner but I would pop by lots if I were a Wallingfordite! -
Review from Joelle A.
5/1/2011
This place is super close to my house, and I had no idea until a friend who doesn't live in Wallingford alerted me about it. I had made a mental note to go there, but completely forgot until I was walking down 45th Street after lunch with a date, and we stopped in for some beverages.
The place is on the cozier side, with an awesome paint job and lots of random knickknacks everywhere. I liked how the cup sizes were frog life cycle stages - I always get confused about tall/grande/whatever anyway. My hot chocolate was quite good.
My only word of caution is that, at least when I was there on a Saturday early afternoon, the place was fairly full, but very quiet with everyone working away on their laptops or whatever. I was there to chat with my date, and I didn't want to feel like I was disturbing anyone. So I would say it seems like a great place to get work done, and I would have to come back again to see if it is a good date place. -
Review from cathy g.
Seattle, WA
2/24/2011
The name makes me want to vomit!
However, a true Wallingfordite, I try the place.
friendly vibe, good coffee. The name could be changed though to sound more like upbeat and clean place to go for good coffee.. rather than muddy - rhymes with scummy. -
Review from Lori S.
Seattle, WA
11/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I LOVE this coffee shop!! I was hooked the first time I came here. The owners greet you with a friendly hello and smile...such nice people! The atmosphere is so warm and inviting: a few comfy couches and chairs, cool tables and wood chairs, great lighting, fun art, plants, a bookcase filled with books and games, all kinds of cool coffee mugs, and the paint colors are all nice warm tones. They have a great patio, too, but haven't had a chance to check it out yet...looking forward to sitting out there in the summer! They have a great variety of food items: bagels, Mighty-O Donuts, sandwiches, and other pastries. Best of all, they have the BEST lattes in town! I crave their hazelnut lattes every morning!! They have a great thing going here...you gotta check this place out!
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Review from Lisa B.
Seattle, WA
7/6/2011
I love this little hole-in-the-wall coffee place.
It is tiny, but amazingly quiet in spite of it's size. And the people behind the counter? The have always been so kind. It's the type of friendliness that you can ask what the music is they are playing and the conversation about music is on. -
Review from Liz S.
Seattle, WA
11/13/2011
Just sat down and already love it. So cozy with twinkly Christmas lights, Colin Hay over the speakers, and the most delicious pear-cinnamon cider I have ever tasted. Baristas are considerate and helpful, and the seating options are perfectly varied- multiple tables with space to spread out, as well as comfy armchairs and couches. I will definitely be returning!
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Review from Inna B.
Oh, good! A cute neighborhood coffee shop close to home!
I'm so glad this space has finally been leased and turned into something cozy and useful. I've passed by Djan's Thai many times wondering who would move in. (Unless there was an office in here for a while, I think it's been vacant for several years.)
I love several things about the concept of the near-by Mosaic, but I've just had two too many burned coffee experiences there that I don't bother going their for coffee anymore. A coffee shop needs baristas, and apparently the good ones aren't usually volunteers. A Muddy Cup does NOT have a bad/inexperienced barista problem. Bonus points for having a rice drink option for those of us that would rather skip the milk, hemp AND soy!
My first visit was during the Thanksgiving '10 snow, and I was pleased to find a delicious hot mocha and an ever-so-healthy (Mighty O!) donut to enjoy as my snow-day breakfast. Several people were working away on their laptops, and I wished I could have joined them and kept enjoying the space. Too bad I have a desktop, and those don't travel well.
I really like A Muddy Cup and am pleased to have them in Wallingford. I don't often find myself there because I usually find myself near when I'm headed to the grocery store or it's time for happy hour at Kate's Pub, but I definitely like the spot. Seems like a great space to work/read or catch up with a friend while enjoying hot coffee (or tea). -
Review from Bryan B.
Seattle, WA
3/2/2012
Ok coffee. Kinda of cozy place to bring a book maybe. I was looking for a 'quite' coffee shop experience (vs. a place like Zoka). Too much of a 'cinnamony' potpourri smell really interfered with my ability to experience the coffee though. And the WiFi service was terrible. I don't typically have connection problems in other shops, but this one kept dropping my connection every couple of minutes. I know it's a bit unfair to complain about something that's free but it was part of the experience. I'll go back and try again but with adjusted expectations. Maybe the next trip will be better.
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Review from J J.
Seattle, WA
4/9/2011
Interesting place. Very cozy atmosphere. 4 stars for letting me stroll in on a Saturday afternoon to take a crap.
PS Tried their coffee shortly after they opened. A little pricey, but a good cup. -
Review from wei t.
Seattle, WA
11/10/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I love hemp milk! I used to drive all the way to Kirkland urban cafe to get my fix, until I found a muddy cup!They also have mighty-o donuts, and pastries from Le Fournil. Oh and they have good song selections....such a wonderful place to get away/study.I'm so glad this is my neighborhood coffee shop.
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Review from Nick B.
2/1/2011
This is a really nice coffee shop. The baristas are great and the coffee is good.
My main problem with it (at least when I was there) was that there was no background music. Now, I am as surprised as you that I would think of that as a detriment but there is something about this coffee shop...
People just weren't talking. It was kind of weird. Of course this may be more attributable to the Seattlites gracing it than to the management but I would like to see them (1) create some sort of background music to not have it seem so eerie and (2) provide more seating and a bit more lighting.
So the atmosphere is really the only thing keeping this place from a 5 star for me. -
Review from Charles N.
San Francisco, CA
11/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
A Muddy Cup is my go to caffeine repository for several reasons. 1) The people that own it actually tend the coffee bar. 2) They have organic coffee and know how to make a latte. 3) Mighty O Donuts. 4) The fun decorations and intimate interior.
Support local businesses and get great coffee to boot! Win, win, win. -
Review from Tom M.
Seattle, WA
10/17/2010
Despite having a plethora of coffee choices within 3+ blocks of our house, it feels like Muddy Cup has filled a real gap in the neighborhood between 45th and 50th Streets NE east of Dick's but west of the Freeway.
The proprietors, Sarah and Matt (she pulls, he tenders), have done a great job restoring an old office space. The interior is warm (with hues of red/orange), the ubiquitous stuffed furniture is clean (for the time being), and the lighting and exterior greenery make it a cozy alternative to the coffee houses further west.
The owners have also infused their shop with the type of fair trade, organic ethos that speaks to the inner souls of the typical Wallingfordian: Pangea coffee, Mighty-O donuts, and free Wi-Fi (the ultimate example of an empowered social community).
About the only drawback the day we visited was that the credit card machine hadn't yet arrived.
Nice addition to the neighborhood! -
Review from Rebecca R.
Seattle, WA
2/4/2011
Love, Love, Love this place!
Walking into this super cute and cozy coffee house I was transported to someplace on the coast of California... Definitely not Seattle!
I was VERY impressed with the quality of the coffee (serving local organic roaster Pangaea!!!) and the pour was expertly done! My dopio espresso was divine!
I will definitely go back and hang out a little longer!
A definite keeper! We need more awesomeness like this in Seattle! -
Review from Jim D.
Seattle, WA
12/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Tons of charm, not tons of seating.
I studied here a couple hours this weekend. Nice tea selection, really friendly couple working behind the counter. This place is going to be a staple for years to come I hope
Only complaint would be: needs some more seating. It's a small shop with an intimate feel, but it's clearly becoming popular and needs a few more chairs/tables!
Can't wait to come back -
Review from Kennedy S.
Seattle, WA
2/12/2012
I love the Muddy Cup! Matt and Sarah are always super friendly and helpful. They make anything I want, no matter how crazy. Coffee is air-roasted and delicious. Great study atmosphere and I've never had problems with the wifi. Definitely recommend this place!
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Review from AyBee B.
Seattle, WA
10/31/2011
Wow, wow and wow.
I'm all about the "experience" I get at a coffee shop--- not jut whether the coffee is good. And "A Muddy Cup" has all the experience I'm looking for. The place has the look and feel of a friendly living room. There are several cozy corners to sit in and get lost in a book. There's also an outdoor patio when the weather is nice. (Right now, because it's Halloween, there's some dummy sitting out there, and he looked real to me.)
This place has easily shot to the top of my list of favorite Seattle coffee shops. -
Review from Rebecca A.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 2/8/2012
This is still one of my favorite Seattle coffee shops. I love the atomosphere and the squar tables are great for studying. I also love the adorable mugs they serve my coffee in (I never get it to go). These folks are deserving of some attention. Enjoy some delicious coffee and gents and give them your money!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/10/2011
The Coffee is wonderful, the people are pleasant and the atmosphere is both comfy and conducive to… Read more »
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Review from Domenica C.
Seattle, WA
11/26/2010
A Muddy Cup is officially my second home, as I live a block away. I just moved to Wallingford and A Muddy Cup is one of the finest establishments I have encountered. The decor is like a slightly mutated version of your Grandma's bedroom, as obsessed as she is with the Great Outdoors. The coffee is good (I've only had drip so far, but drip IS the foundation of any coffee shop) and the attention to detail in the layout and design is scrumptious.
There are duck mugs. -
Review from Brett J.
Seattle, WA
6/15/2011
This is a coffee shop for people that don't like what coffee shops have become. If you want to be served by hippies and not hipsters head here.
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Review from Kim G.
Seattle, WA
11/27/2010 2 Check-ins Here
This is my new favorite coffee shop! Hands down!
It's nice to finally have a coffee shop so close to where I live that I would be more than happy to give a lot of my money to. Matt and Sara(h) did such a wonderful job with this place!
It's quaint and quiet, perfect for someone like me who has piles of studying to do and they make a damn good soy latte!
This is a place that I will definitely be a regular at. -
Review from Nari H.
Wheaton, IL
6/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is super cute, on a street corner, and awesome service. The guy behind the counter was friendly and helpful, and he made a good cup of cappuccino (he made it on the dry side, and warned me ahead of time). It had free wifi too. I"d come back anytime!
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Review from Harley S.
Seattle, WA
12/19/2010
As a passionate customer of many of the cafes in and around wallingford (including tangletown), I can't stress enough that A Muddy Cup is great place and one worthy of your support. The owners are amazingly nice and sweet people who are earnestly trying to provide a service to the neighborhood.
The place had the sweetest vibe and I look forward to going back soon and often..
I wish them the best. -
Review from Nathan M.
Seattle, WA
10/28/2010
this is my first visit but i can already tell a great rainy thursday in Wallingford now means starting here to get A Muddy Cup of cheer, watch a tedtalk, get some work done, then lunch across the street from Rancho Bravo taco trailer. next head to your big meeting at Mosaic coffee's private meeting room (huge!), and end at a classic "3rd place" for whiskey - Kate's Pub. all within 2 block...s of Dick's Burgers where you should really only eat the fries right?
Anyway, Muddy Cup is super cozy, great living room-like decor, comfy retro couches, and my favorite thing about the decor is this amazing/unique gradient wall paint they did that makes the place feel really warm and friendly...
it's a small but good place to sit and work quietly... looks like it'll have a nice deck for summer too... oh yah, and the coffee is great! Owners seem really friendly so far and that's always a big help to get my morning going... check it out! -
Review from Simeon M.
Seattle, WA
10/18/2010
A Muddy Cup has only been opened for a week, and I've already frequented it on more occasions than I can count. I agree with the first reviewer that a coffee shop is such a welcome addition to East Wallingford. No longer do I have to venture to the U District or up the hill to get my daily caffeine fix.
The owners, Sarah and Matt, have lovingly transformed the small abandoned space into their business, a warm and inviting place like no other. The place has a kind of charm that isn't found at other coffee joints around, and is great whether you're there to mingle with friends or to bury your face in a laptop (as I do).
The coffee is great, the owners are friendly, and they sell might-o donuts... it's simply my new favorite place in the neighborhood. -
Review from Kaza A.
Seattle, WA
5/7/2011
This is a great place to study, get delicious coffee and pastries, and be conveniently close to other businesses. They even play great music that I pause mine to listen to instead. However, I have one big problem: the barista is way too loud! It's super distracting, whether you're doing homework, reading a newspaper, or catching up with a friend. It's a fairly small place - there's no need for yelling!
Her tendency to yell and shout everything sets the tone for the whole place - so then everyone in the place starts to talk louder and louder. It's just a noisy place, and would be so much better off if she would just lower her voice!
Oh, and I love the gluten free goodies they have! Although, they could add some more savory items. -
Review from Emby L.
Seattle, WA
1/24/2011
Great coffee! They have Pangea decaf which is smooth and flavorful. The owners are nice and friendly and I find the cafe to be a peaceful welcoming place to read or to write, hang out with a friend and enjoy my coffee (and sometimes sweet treat!) unrushed. The space has pretty walls and floors and warm wooden furniture, a welcome gem in the neighborhood!
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Review from Seth B.
Seattle, WA
10/19/2011
Great coffee shop, not much else to it. They just finished a really nice-looking outdoor patio too - which looks like it'll be great once the summer rolls back around.
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Review from Grace C.
Seattle, WA
10/18/2010
What a cute find and on my wait to work! I love the homey ambiance and soft and natural lighting. Great coffee. Check out the patchwork faux moose/elk heads of the walls. He should sell those!
