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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Bookstores [Edit]
Neighborhood: Pioneer SquareDiscovered this lovely (not so) little cafe in the basement of the famous (but never visited by me) Elliott Bay Book Company in Pioneer Square.
Tons of variety in the soup and sandwich department, all cooked reasonably freshly (can't tell how much is Sysco these days). You can get something resembling breakfast (eggs) all day. And for you non-meat-loving peeps out there there are plenty of vegemetarian (and some, shudder, vegan) options too.
The space itself is pretty charming, all basement-y and bookish. Gets a little warm around lunch time, so hopefully you layered appropriately. I think there's wheelchair accessibility from within the bookstore, but the direct stairs are super steep (typical for buildings of this era), so be forewarned if you're not able to handle that.
At any rate - a delicious breakfast/lunch option that's local, unique and reasonably speedy. Definitely recommended when you're in Pioneer Square.
The EBC is one of those places you would walk right by if you weren't paying attention which is a good thing if you enjoy having your joe in a low key spot and a bad thing if you own the place. I don't own EBC and I like to be left alone (sometimes) when I'm reading the Weekly and having my first cup so the EBC is my kind of place.
You walk down the stairs and enter what has the appearance of an European bistro - brick walls, arch entry way to hallway, wooden spiral staircase that leads to the book store upstairs - you get the point. Although the reggae music playing overhead doesnt fit the theme...but no lost of star points for that.
The coffee: way above average. As I was waiting for my cup to be made, the barista was schooling a new barista on how not to let the shot sit. Being that this is one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to pulling espresso shots I was already in heaven before the first sip hit my tongue.
The food: They serve donuts from Mighty O (one of my favorite places) and home baked goods made on site.
The service: Well, I told you about the barista already and I'll add that as I was getting my drink my napkin fell to the floor. Before I could even drop down to get it the barista from behind the counter was getting me a new one. Exceptional!!!
Now it's time to check out the book store upstairs.... enjoy!
We visited EBC 3 times during our short trip to Seattle. Why? For it's cookies! They are thin and crispy and really just to die for, especially to pair with your caffeine. The environment is good for single or a couple to hang out, enjoy the coffee and just talk or read something. We brought our daughter here while she took her 3-hr afternoon nap and my husband and I spent some quality time talking, use the internet and read a magazine. All other patrons were also pretty quite sharing the large space and have their own personal space to ponder or just relax.
Their coffee and cookies are great!! But the lunch is just so-so depending on what you order. The soup is pretty tasty but the sandwich is just ok. I will post upload some pictures soon.
I don't find this place too expensive coming from the Bay Area and Vancouver. The only slight complaint I have maybe is that they can improve on the ventilation.
I came here yesterday for lunch & coffee w/ my girlfriend. I've always wanted to try the EBC, and since we were in Pioneer Square, I suggested we stop by. I ordered an iced Americano which was really quite good. It definitely gave me that perk I was hoping for. My girlfriend ordered yerba mate tea. She said it was good, but too much liquid, and therefore couldn't finish it. I finished what was left and I thought it was good, but I've never had yerba mate tea before, so I can't make any comparisons.
For food we decided to split the salad & sandwich combo. I chose the tuna sandwich, she chose the nearly raw salad (I think that's what it was called). We each had a bit of both, and were both very happy with the food.
The atmosphere is nice. I like all the spacious seating. The service was also good. The woman that took our order seemed quite nice and knowledgeable.
I intend on coming back here if I'm in Pioneer Square during the day and feeling hungry or tired.
I'll give a 3 star rating, although its based on multiple visits. Prior visits would yield 4 stars, but on Saturday, I was really disappointed.
GF had the pot pie, which was the last one, and actually cold. I wanted the pot pie also, but changed to the pasta due to availability. The pasta was $8+ and was simply 20 pieces of rigatoni, 4 meatballs and some decent sauce. No bread, nothing on the side. Lame. I left hungry and grabbed a slice down the street.
Also, the bathrooms were disgusting on this night.
I'd write it off as an off-night, but the manager needs to do better to avoid the wheels falling off during these times.
Like i said, other visits have been great. But not on this night.
I was seriously considering on giving this place a 3 star, but realized 2 was fine. It was recommended as a stop location to check out as one of few who decided to use their "basement" (Underground Tour - the basement is the original main level of Old Seattle). It totally slipped our mind until we came across it and needed to fulfill our java crave. I liked it because it was bright, clean and relaxing. There's a spiral staircase that leads you to the bookstore.
My friend was seriously upset with his order. He received his coffee, but he didn't receive his toast w/butter on the side. He had to wait for them to toast it. I was slightly hungry since we walked around so much, so I ordered the grilled cheese and an earl gray tea. I received all my items before he did. He returned to the table gripping about how his coffee was now cold and that it was a basic item versus what we got, yet it took the longest. Another jab for him was that he didn't even get an apology. I couldn't comment on that part because my service was up to par.
Back to my meal. This was no ordinary grilled cheese. It was a layering of goat cheese, cheddar, fontina, tomato "jam", and red peppers. It was all sandwich'd between rosemary bread and lightly grilled. It came with a cup of potato chips. Yum, crisps. It wasn't bad, since this was something different from the norm for me.
It was a good try, but nothing surely spectacular to make a trip back for so far. If anything, probably a to-go java grab if I'm back.
Oh I like this place! as great as the bookstore is upstairs, admittedly I usually come here for the cafe downstairs! The Cafe has a nice atmosphere and is fairly spacious. It also boasts many outlets to plug your laptop into to crank out some work or to languish on facebook (they have wifi). The food at the cafe is also of very good quality and a bit suprising for a 'cafe bookstore'. They have changing menu and everything always tastes very fresh and home made. Also, for being a Pioneer Square location, you might expect a bit of the rough around the edges crowd (they have a nice and clean bathroom!) but for the most parts its bookish/business types lounging around. The people working the counter have always been very nice and very helpful with selections.
Why is it so hard to find a decent breakfast in Pioneer Square? I had such high hopes for Elliott Bay Cafe. I really thought that with Tamara Murphy taking over the reigns that the food would shine. Alas, it is not so.
The Wife and I had breakfast here prior to the Chelsea match. The menu was quite small so I had the smoked trout and bacon scrambled eggs. Included with the $8 price were two slices of baguette, butter and about 8 pieces of diced fruit. I found no bacon in my eggs at all and for the additional cost of $1.75 I got 6 halved and roasted baby red potatoes. I finished my meal and my first thought was what was I going to eat at Qwest to satisfy my hunger because this meal did not do it.
The Wife had a bit more luck with the smoked salmon, cream cheese and bagel but for almost $9 I really was expecting much more than what was there.
No, I'm sorry. I still have never had a decent breakfast in Pioneer Square. The search continues.
Isn't it a LITTLE disingenuous, when a customer asks for an iced coffee, to charge her for and serve her an iced americano? I know it sounds like a big white whine, but (a) it happened, and (b) I'm not white.
Anyway, I thought $2+ for an 8 oz. iced coffee was a bit much. I grew more suspicious when it took forever for my drink to be called when there was no crowd. My suspicions were confirmed when the barista called my 8 oz. "iced americano." Look, if you don't serve iced coffee, just say so. Sure, I'll take my business elsewhere, but at least then I won't leave you a stinky review on Yelp.
Also, the hours here suck. What kind of coffee- and breakfast-serving establishment doesn't open 'til 8 a.m. on weekdays?
So disappointed by the asparagus omelet which they charge $8 for. It doesn't with any sides and left me completely dissatisfied mostly by the size of it but also by the taste. Have they tried it themselves for breakfast? I doubt!
I've been here for both breakfast and lunch.
- Coffee is consistently tasty.
- They carry Mighty-O donuts
- Breakfast is served all day
- Lunch options include sandwiches, soups, and salads
- In-house pastries aren't available for purchase until after 9am (kinda annoying if you're in there for breakfast)
A bit better after clearinghouse of staff and change of owner.
Free Wifii + Many A/C plug-in stations at new fancy benches.
Food & coffee is improved, as is decor. Price increase reflect the change.
Efficiency and workflow has not however. The staff is friendly though.
I like Philip who makes very good espresso beverages, and cares if you are satisfied with his work.
Just a suggestion: during busy times, it would be helpful to have someone to walk through line to take orders. Another suggestion that I really hope is taken; please make a "coffee only" line. I do not want to wait 15min+ for a cuppa joe.
I will and have walked out to patronize many other coffee shops in the P*Square hood.
The old Elliott Bay Cafe was a dark, wonderful place to get a cup of coffee & read. I have been there since the remodeling & it's "new" now which means robot clean yuppies have made it a "cleaner & more brighter" safe cafe which lacks any sense of originality but it's still a great place to get a cup of coffee & read.
Too bad they had to change though.
Happy people suck.
First, totally disregard all reviews before 12/08. EBC just finished a major remodeling, both physically and comestibly.
Back in October '08, I came to Seattle for a job interview, and I went to EBC to wait for my interviewer. It was a dark, dank place, with a pastry case of sad, brown, vegan lumps. Depressing. Not tasty.
Flash forward! Now I work right above the cafe and go there for lunch. It's brightly lit, cozy and clean. The menu is extensive, tasty and fresh, and the servers are totally on top of their game. Still lots of vegan lumps in the pastry case, but now they look like happy, fresh vegan lumps!
Good for you, EBC. Good for you.
Appropriately enough, perhaps, the old interior of the Elliot Bay Book Co. basement cafe exuded an Edgar Allan Poe-ish dark and dreary ambience. But you might well say nevermore to a repeat visit. The new Elliott Bay Cafe, brought to you by Maria Hines of Brasa in Belltown, has turned night into day.
EBC is warm and bright; it invites you to sit a spell as you wait for your name to be shouted to pick out your order. EBC is a good getaway for a quick lunch as well as plopping yourself down with a book you just bought from upstairs. It's also good place to meet friends; although it does get noisy, it's not too loud.
Espresso and pastries are decent and the menu is satisfying with seasonal soups and sandwiches. Today, I enjoyed the "sweet potato pate," a veggie plate that featured creamy sweet potato, golden and red beets, and kale sandwiched between grilled artisan sourdough slices. It came a with a side salad of quinoa with the same seasonal veggies as the sandwich.
I really enjoyed this place. The food is creative and fresh without being fussy or pretentious. Good quality and creatively prepared. I had the tuna sandwich special with anchovies and capers it was a nice twist on a familiar favourite. For dessert we wanted the chocolate peanut butter cookie, but got the chocolate chip instead because they were out of the others. The cookie was so good I had to have coffee to accompany it. What a combo! Great coffee! Great lunch! Great cookie. I will be back.
Soups, sandwiches, the best bookstore in town in immediate proximity. Parking's a hassle, but the food is just fine if you're not super hungry. You order at the counter, you try to set things down at the table without it tipping over. It's that kind of place, that feels like it's at its best when it's cold and raining out. Kind of small, below street grade. Good coffee and coffeeshop-snacks. Very solid. All that said, it's just a convenient add-on to the bookstore, but no complaints at all.
Once again my position on change is confirmed.
A few years back I loved coming here for lunch. They had a beet salad and a grilled cheese with mango chutney that were perfect. You got one of those little vibrating pager things to let you know when your food was ready so you could sit way in the back or waddle upstairs and browse while you waited. It was a little bit of nirvana for me during that nasty time when I thought it was a good idea to be in management.
What the fuck has happened? Where is my salad? My tangy grilled cheese? My afternoon fun with the vibrating pager? GONE. They are gone. Replaced by slow service from dirty hippies screaming your name when your vegan corn chowder is up. The corn chowder you had to get on the side of your sandwich because they were "OUT OF LETTUCE". The entire menu is salads and sandwiches.
I was looking forward to a great little lunch and a lot of Christmas shopping knocked out. I got an open faced cucumber sandwich that just reminded me of something I would make back in the days when I spent all my money on bourbon and blow. The dregs of the fridge - seriously. The vegan chowder was missing something, what was it? Oh yeah, DAIRY. For the love of Pete - please understand that chowder is a fucking cream based soup and stop bastardizing it! This is Seattle for fucksake!
Rant complete. Two stars because they have Dry Soda.
The employees were obviously having fun at work, listening to, singing along with, and dancing to Prince and Janet Jackson. Good for them. I'm glad they were having fun, but if the employees have that much time on their hands, why can't the sandwiches be made to order, rather than pre-made?
The avocado on my very veggie deluxe (which sounded so good) had definitely seen better days, and I mean like two days ago. I had to take it off and throw it away. Plus, I had to unravel a ridiculous mile and a half of cling wrap just to get to my sandwich. I was hungry, and it was just too much to deal with.
The not-fresh avocado and the miles of cling wrap made the sandwich definitely NOT worth $8.50. And honestly, who the hell charges 8 fucking fifty for a pre-made sandwich? People at my store complain about the prices of our sandwiches (5.99), and they're made to order with a choice of bread and much fresher ingredients!
I'd go one star, but the girls were helpful and accommodated me by watching all of my travel gear so I wouldn't have to drag it up into the bookstore and put it behind the bookstore counter while I browsed. And fortunately, the atmosphere and location are pretty nice, too. But I probably won't go back here.
On a cold Seattle day few things satisfy me like a cozy spot to read a superb book while sipping on something warm and sweet. Elliott Bay Cafe is just the spot. Located downstairs from one of the best (in my opinion) bookstores that Seattle has to offer this joint is great. Plenty of tables which are close to each other but still allow personal space and privacy. The lighting is not overpowering or extremely florescent, perfectly dimly lit. I have not tried any of their food but they recently got a new menu which sounds out of this world good, lots of warm, Northwest comfort food. The baristas are actually friendly, something that seems to be the case less and less of the time at other places. Good selection of your typical drinks along with local sodas and juices. Loads of pastries too. Mighty-O doughnuts, cupcakes, bagels, cookies, the list goes on for a while. It was one of the largest spreads I have seen in town. The one thing that threw me off a little bit was the fact that they use a microphone to announce when people's orders are ready, coffee or food. It is not overly loud but took a little getting used to for me. I loved how the clammer of cups knocking about is not that noticeable. At other places you can get weighted down by all the loud music and clangs coming from the coffee machines but not here, it is the perfect level of quiet chatter and the steamer working away. A great spot overall. Wander through the book store, pick up something good and then head down to the Cafe to enjoy a nibble and a great seat to devour your book in.
good for: people watching. eavesdropping. relaxing and reading a good book. downtime. snickerdoodles. generally good food. atmosphere.
bad for: coffee. not.so.much.
Location great. Bookstore great. Salad (tomato & cucumber) so-so. Service VERY slow. Why am I the only person waiting for an order and it takes 20 minutes to prepare a salad. ??? This was a salad for $7.50. There are too many other places to eat to put up with such slow nonsensical service. Oh and when the salad was ready, they couldn't tell that it was a to go order, so she just dumped the whole salad in the box upside down. Lovely presentation.
Major plus - bookstore!! I should have given them my phone number and had them call me upstairs.
I had lunch in the cafe... a nice quiet book-filled place to spend your lunch if you want to be inside. I had the spicy tuna sandwich. It came with a a few salad greens. The sandwich was good, but not really spicy. I also had a espresso brownie. Big brownie, but oddly dry... not that great. $6.50 for the sandwich, $2.50 for the brownie. Overall it's worth a stop down there if you're already in the bookstore!
An independent, family owned bookstore makes this the ultimate find in Pioneer Square. They have loads of books on every subject you could ever dream of. The additional sale loft offers great deals, and not just books that nobody else wants...you can actually sort through for many great finds. Bonus, they have a great cafe downstairs, bites and all. I will not step foot in another book store in Seattle, this is my new home. Cheers!
This cafe is located in the basement of Elliott Bay Book Co.--very possibly the best bookstore in Seattle for its wide selection and old-school atmosphere--and serves excellent coffee along with soups, sandwiches, and pastries (many of which are vegan). Bookcases display an interesting selection of used books, most of which cost a couple dollars or less. It's quiet and usually pretty empty--a great place to go for a coffee whilst perusing your Elliott Bay Book Co. purchase, or just somewhere to warm up out of the rain.
I want to give it 5 stars, and frankly the food is rather delicious - i highly recommend the veggie sandwiches. The pastries are good too, and my co-worker who can't eat anything can eat them, so that is a testament to their natural goodness. The reason I'm deducting a star is for service, which is fine, if you order a pre-made pastry or a coffee. However, if you dare to order a sandwich, even if it is grilled cheese, be prepared to wait, especially if it is the employees special time to burn one down (haven't seen it but wouldn't doubt it) . They are all nice, but last time I was there, waiting 20 minutes in an empty cafe for a veggie sandwich to go, I over heard them discussing if carrots can feel it when you eat them... not a joke. So, grab a book off the cheap book shelf and start reading, bc you just never know how long you'll be there.... (kick ass bookstore it is connected to though!! a great place to hang while you wait, and they'll provide a buzzer)
Very promising, but not quite there yet. I, too, heard Nancy Leson swooning on NPR and had to try it. I ordered the "Pan Bagne," which is a smashed chickpea, eggplant, and squash sandwich, grilled. The order came up reasonably fast. (That wins points over rival Grand Central, where anything grilled seems to take forever, whether there are 4 or 40 people waiting.) The sandwich was terrific. Interesting blend of flavors and textures. The one big miss was the side salad. The greens were mostly fresh looking (sorry, but a few bits were wilted), but the real problem was the "dressing." Either someone neglected to emulsify sufficiently, such that only oil got on my salad, or they forgot to dry the lettuce. While it was clear that something wet was on the greens, it had absolutely no flavor. No kidding. I kept taking additional bites thinking perhaps I just got a poorly dressed bit. All wet, and all flavorless. But the menu looks great, the sandwich was very tasty, so I'll be back.
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