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Arosa Cafe
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Sandwiches Restaurants Cafes Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches, Cafes [Edit]
3121 E Madison StSte 101
(between E 31st Ave & E Lake Washington Blvd)
Seattle, WA 98112
Neighborhood: Madison Park
(206) 324-4542
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6:30 am - 5 pm
Sat-Sun 7 am - 5 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
20 reviews for Arosa Cafe
20 reviews in English
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Review from Shannon H.
Seattle, WA
5/10/2012 3 Check-ins Here
YUM!
The best mochas ever, the best chocolate ever, they will sell it to you in bags if you are serious about your hot chocolate.
I love the coffee, bold and strong. I LOVE the paninis!! I LOVE the snack waffles! I haven't had one in a long time and my mouth is watering just thinking about one. If you are in the area, treat yourself and stop in for something yummy!
The staff are super friendly and when I worked in the same building a few years ago, they let us work on a tab-system where we would bring open checks for $25 or so at a time and just debit from it. It was very convient and nice of them to offer that for us who wanted to stop in quickly on coffee breaks.
Parking is always tight in front of the cafe, but when a spot is open, its super convenient! -
Review from Kristel C.
Seattle, WA
12/23/2011
I am first going to admit a couple things here:
1) I drink a lot of coffee from a lot of places.
2) I drink Starbucks coffee and don't hate it.
3) I don't typically enjoy sweet things (for example, plain croissants over chocolate)
4) Michelle, the owner of Arosa is a wonderful family friend. So yes, I am biased.
With all of the above said, I will still shout from the rooftops that Arosa is by far, my favorite coffee shop and think that people should listen.
I love that whenever I stop by, I see Michelle greeting other customers with the same energy and familiarity as when she sees me. She always seems genuinely happy to see anyone who walks in the door and welcomes them with a cheery, warm smile. I think she and her baristas are a big part of why people keep coming to Arosa.
Besides the great coffee and treats, that is. My coffee shop drink is an americano, which I usually top off with a little cream and a Splenda anywhere I go. Arosa americanos don't even need the extra. The coffee is flavorful and fresh. Just like you'd expect from a local coffee shop who takes a little care when making their espresso.
And get a waffle.
For crying out loud, GET A WAFFLE. Rumor has it the maple crystals they use come from Switzerland. You can't find waffles like that anywhere and if you're lucky enough to get one hot off the griddle, enjoy it, because you'll want to come back for more.
There's tons of parking available to stop by and the shop is right off of Madison and Lake Washington Blvd -- easy to swing by if you're near there and/or on your way to 520.
I already admitted to my bias of why I like this place but it truly is a terrific cup of coffee and breakfast with a side of sunshine. -
Review from Bryan S.
Puyallup, WA
1/27/2012
YUM is all I have to say. This place has the most delicious mocha you will ever experience anywhere in the world! Imagine Swiss chocolate (the best stuff on earth) shavings being generously placed into your choice of milk. When the milk gets steamed, the velvety, perfect chocolate melts, creating the most decadent and cozy drink you will ever consume. It truly is a little taste of heaven! :) If that's not enough, they have sweetened "waffle snacks" that words just can't describe. Try it, I promise you'll like it!!
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Review from Todd E.
Seattle, WA
8/29/2011
Arosa is the best coffee place in Madison Park and Madison Valley.
Owner Michelle and her long-standing colleagues (Agnes! Laura!) expertly prepare lattes, capuccinos, mochas, and other espresso drinks with attention and care you'd expect from local shop owners and perfect expertise gained from their countless hours tending to discriminating Madison Park, Washington Park, Denny Blaine, and Madrona customers. -
Review from Chelsy C.
4/27/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I had a delicious turkey panini here the other day. The focaccia bread- grilled just right, the turkey and cheese, nicely melted together. Exactly the way I wanted it. A nice selection of herbal teas and an espresso machine to make your drinks.
Friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere as well. On top of all that they have a PARKING LOT. That is hugely convenient in this neighborhood. -
Review from Kaitlyn M.
Venice, CA
7/28/2007
This place is great. I've only been here twice so far but I'm working in the area so I am planning on many visits to come. It's a little place you'd hardly know was there unless someone told you. The Arboretum Court has a funny way of making all the stores within it look completely void of character and not worth a second glance... but this place actually serves up some delicious coffee.
A word of caution though: They don't accept credit cards. It's cash or check only I believe. I found this out the hard way on my first visit when I wasn't carrying any cash on me... but was pleasantly surprised when they told me not to worry about it, that I could pay them next time. Wait, really? Yes. Really. Not that you should go in without cash hoping to score a free drink... but that is customer service at its finest.
Check this place out. I don't know much beyond the coffee quite yet, but the coffee and service is wonderful.
**********
Update 11/24/07
They accept credit cards now! Yay! -
Review from Steve R.
Seattle, WA
10/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped in on a chilly Saturday morning... with a bite in the air... Were greeted with a small, simple atmosphere and a smiling barista... A bit bright though... Would have liked a more dimly lit spot to relax and warm up. Friendly service, good coffee, and we like the latte "alatte"... :-). The morning glory muffin was delicious... Three stars for the atmosphere and five stars for the friendly service...
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Review from Michele C.
Seattle, WA
8/27/2009
Great customer service gets me every time.
I could overlook high prices and even mediocre products when the service dazzles.
Fortunately, you don't have to sacrifice a thing at Arosa Cafe in Madison Park. The prices are average, the coffee is good, and the service is stellar. The owner, Michelle, is the perfect local business owner, working behind the counter, greeting people by name, and starting their orders the minute they walk in the door. Warmly engaging each customer and thoughtfully remembering the minutiae of their lives, she gives away something you just can't buy...the DESIRE to be a regular.
It's strange. Arosa is about a block from my house, and I never felt compelled to go until a year ago. Seattle offers about 152 places per square mile to buy excellent coffee, so picking a favorite is a multi-faceted endeavor. Proximity is important, quality matters, prices probably don't even show up on most addict's radar, but service reigns supreme. Loyalty is the name of the game in this town, and people resist venturing far from their favorites.
I had my faves, but only an uptight social misfit would refuse to leave the confines of their comfort zone when someone else invites them to try someplace new. (You know who you are!)
Needless to say, I was taken by the comfortable ambiance inside Arosa, and couldn't resist the power of local neighborhood conversation, the language spoken here. Agnes, the cheerful, engaging barista who remembered my name, my kids' names and where I went on vacation, sealed my fate as an Arosa-loyalist.
And if all of the above weren't enough, (**insert Cheers lyrics) then did I mention homemade waffles?? Michelle makes the dough fresh daily, and grills them up on a waffle maker in the store. They are the kind of treat you eat with your hands, like a doughnut...sweet, sticky, warm. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........ain't nothin' like hot coffee and a waffle.
**Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name. -
Review from Just Y.
Edmonds, WA
2/4/2009 1 photo
I've been to Belgium four times. In those trips, I visited six Belgium cities. I've had at least two waffles in each city. I know a good Belgium desert waffle when I eat one. The light fluffy Belgium waffles my mom used to make? Not Belgium waffles. The waffles Arosa makes? Not Belgium waffles. In fairness, they don't call them Belgium waffles, they call them "Snack Waffles" - but it's pretty obvious what they are going for. What they have achieved are rather cakey waffles with a sugar/cinnamon coat. Not totally un-tasty, but not what I expected from a place who specializes in waffles. I'm pretty sure I won't be getting cravings for them.
The coffee is ok. I've had it twice. The first time I ordered a medium, and found my Americano a bit too weak (too few shots for the amount of water). The second time, more shots, and despite cream it was a little burnt tasting and somewhat more acidic than I normally find espresso to be, but certainly not horrible - I'll probably get another cup if I'm in the mood next time I'm in the neighborhood.
The two times I've been there, the service has been excellent. Very friendly, a little chatty - nice girls (I don't know if guys work there, so if there are, I'm sure they are nice as well). The place isn't huge, but warm, enough seating for the shopping center it is in, and clean. -
Review from Steven C.
Belltown, Seattle, WA
7/14/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Arosa delivers a taste of heaven in every coffee drink served by the most wonderful and cheerful barista's of any coffee shop in Seattle. The panini sandwiches are divine and capping off the experience with a handmade snack waffle delivers the perfect coffeehouse experience. By far, Arosa blows away any competition out of the water and is truly an experience all should enjoy!
-
Review from John H.
Missoula, MT
9/14/2010
Serve coffee, soft serve ice cream, and paninii sandwiches. Very good paniniis. All about $6.25. Milkshakes $4.60. Friendly service and nice atmosphere.
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Review from Angie S.
3/26/2009
Hands down, the best lattes I have ever had. I try to mix it up so I can be sure, but they have always been so tasty! The girls who work there are always very sweet as well. I have never tried the "snack waffles", strange little addition to the shop but they do smell good!
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Review from Shannon P.
Seattle, WA
9/23/2008
Hands down the best latte I've had in the Madrona/Madison Park area. My friend who gets mochas says it's the best mocha she's had anywhere. Sinfully good waffles (best if they're warm and a good way to limit oneself!) The location doesn't lend itself to ambiance though there always seems to be a devoted group there- and it is convenient.
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Review from Jenniferlyn C.
Seattle, WA
6/21/2009
very chocolatey mochas and super duper tasty waffles. Plus the owner is the most friendly, warm, beautiful woman ever! She knows everyone's name! How often does that happen? It is one of those places that regulars love. Heck, I love it!
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Review from Amber A.
Seattle, WA
9/21/2011
Arosa is one of my very favorite things about living in Madison Park! My morning is not complete until I have had a cup of Paris Tea, a fresh baked goodie delivered from Macrina Bakery, and a moment of gabbing with the lovely Arosa girls! Owner Michelle is super community oriented: from donating supplies to a local school to putting together Team Arosa for the 5K Shore Run/Walk...she has a huge heart and has a way of bringing people together for a good cause! Agnes, Laura & Kate are always a treat to see as well! Not only will they remember your drink and your name...they'll remember the plans you casually mentioned last time you were in and ask for details! Seriously! They have a loyal following...don't be surprised if you start recognizing other customers, remembering their names and making new friends! Thank you ladies of Arosa for making Madison Park really feel like home! :)
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Review from Lorrena M.
Downey, CA
12/10/2006
This is the original Arosa and it is THE BEST!!!! I have visited both of them and LOVE the WAFFLES!! The owner Joe Limtiaco is so gracious, she makes me feel like I am part of the family. I love the gruyere panini, and an orangina mixed with some passion fruit syurp. One of the employees, Agnes...she is great, gave me that. You have got to try it. Now they have this new thing where everyone is hooked on crossword puzzles. I love it! They have such a great staff, if you haven't been here you are missing out. If you don't live near here you can try the other location up on Capitol Hill, Hans the owner is great too!
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Review from Ryan C.
5/2/2010
i don't know much about belgian waffles but what i DO know are GOOD WAFFLES! this is the second shop i ever gotten waffles in seattle and it's GOOD! the other shop was sweet iron waffles. compared to them, arosa's much better!
to start, they are $2.20 each after tax. i got 2 and left 1 in the car overnight. ate it and it was the right level of chewyness and not hard at all! has the crunch of the sugar and hint of chocolate. yum yum! size wise it's pretty reasonable and healthier compared to doughnuts!
get them waffles early! they open pretty early and close about 5! -
Review from Lori M.
Seattle, WA
8/3/2009
not so much. no.
special waffles? I wish they had been. When we went the waffle maker was acting up and kept burning the waffles over and over. I had a panini instead, but it was just ok. -
Review from Lani A.
Seattle, WA
1/26/2010
I have to say, I've been to Belgium as well and these waffles are pretty close to Liege waffles as you'll get locally. They are a bit cakey, but the depth and complexity of flavor is very close to what you'll get in Belgium. At any rate, I eat one of these on an near bi-weekly basis, so you can see I'm a fan. This cute cafe has some recent magazines, and a few tables, so you can chill out and drink some coffee while savoring your pastry.
Parking lot out front is a little tight but manageable. Paninis are good here, too. -
Review from Lexy W.
Seattle, WA
12/3/2010
My favorite paninis ever -- melted gruyere cheese and turkey -- yum. Service is super friendly. Lattes are excellent and if you're still hungry after lunch, the waffles are terrific too -- sticky and cinnamon-y. Quite reasonable prices for lunch compared to others in Madison Valley/Madison Park corridor.
