Cafe Bambino

Gretchen’s personality shines bright and is such a down to earth hands on owner who made my experience so sweet.

Seattle's best coffee. Cafe Bambino has the best coffee period. This place is a true hidden gem. Highly recommended for the great drinks, service, and merchandise. The staff is friendly and helpful. Cozy seating is outside but covered. If you want great coffee, go here.

One time when I stopped by I heard live tango music. A band was practicing. What was surprising to me was how perfect it felt; Bambino is the type of place where you expect to hear live tango music, and you almost can even when no one is playing. Oh yes: the coffee is good as well.

Cafe Bambino has jumped the shark. Coffee was decent, nothing special but the prices are outrageous and service apathetic at best. I was recently charged $6.80 for an iced 16oz almond milk latte and tipped .50-$1, (I can't recall which since sticker shock already slapped me upside the head). Just checked my credit card statement and was charged $9.10 from their shop. Bet they thought I wouldn't catch it or outrageous hidden CC fee. This was not my first time to Cafe Bambino but surely my last. Pro tip, buy a Breville espresso maker for home, and it will pay for itself in less than three months at Bambino prices.

My favorite coffee shop in Seattle. And one of the only places I know I need to stop at each visit. Great atmosphere and very good coffee

I know Seattle is a coffee town. But Cafe Bambino is the best in the 206. I’ll lump the 360 and 425 in there as well. Simply the best espresso in Western WA. You live on Capitol Hill and commute to Sodo for work? Sorry, must go to Cafe Bambino first.

Born and raised North Seattle yet never been? Worth the wait. Order at outside bar yet still admire cut interior and appreciate friendly service. 5 star for this business being a cool icon of 65th Ave AND having kind people and seating. Definitely recommend

Enjoyed an oat milk cafe au lait at their outdoor patio. It was the perfect temp and tasted great! Cute and compact, Cafe Bambino exudes positive vibes and feels inspired by Italy, yet totally Seattle. Their Italian-leaning drinks are tasty and the service fantastic!

Super cute spot, friendly staff, and solid coffee! Stopped by for an 8oz mocha and it hit the spot. Easy location to walk to and upon arriving I saw QR codes where you can view their menu and order online. Seemed like most folks placed their order online and were stopping by just to pick up. I'll definitely order ahead next time - the site seemed pretty intuitive and easy to use. Cool spot!

I really enjoyed my drink and the service I received. The staff was so kind and treated me great and quickly, and the drink was delicious. This visit is from a short while ago because I was unsure if i wanted to leave this review. However, i wanted to leave a review for the woman who introduced herself as the owner to the person in front of me. When I was trying to place my order, I could hear her talking to the girl making drinks in a demeaning and condescending way. From what I could hear it seemed like a scheduling issue, but the comment that really stuck with me is "I am the owner, I dont have be here early that's what you guys are for" If you are really the owner, talking to the people who run your store so you don't have to be there early like this is extremely distasteful especially in front of customers.. From a person who has worked in these environments, your employees deserve someone who looks at them as humans. I hope that this review makes you aware of what you're saying , how you're saying, and who you're saying it in front of.

Delicious and well-crafted drinks. Fun atmosphere and looks like it draws local community as well.

Great people, fun sign, pretty good coffee, pretty darned good breakfast sandwiches, and a nice patio. Prices are on the high side. If prices were a bit lower or coffee was a bit tastier, I'd be back more frequently. As it is, I'll still definitely stop by a few times a month.

A cute little hole-in-the-wall cafe with drinks and breakfast pastries! We stopped by for a Thanksgiving morning pick-me-up and got our order through the window. They take COVID precautions very seriously and we had to order via the Joe app. It was a super simple process and the drinks were ready really quickly. They have a cute patio with limited seating to hang out and enjoy the drinks. They limit it to 5 people and there's space to easily distance yourself from another group. I got the hot chocolate and poppyseed muffin and my friend for the cruffin (a unique croissant muffin) and really loved both. The hot chocolate was really tasty and the muffin was too! It has a cute, neighborhood feel and is overall worth a visit.

Happy Wednesday everyone! My kids finally got the Snow Day (translation: No School Day) that they've been wanting... except we didn't get much snow here in Seattle to play in compared to areas north and south of us, lol. However, it's still pretty cold out so while we were out n' about today, we stopped by one of my favorite indie coffee shops in the Ballard neighborhood called CAFE BAMBINO. We got a couple of baked goods to share and an Oatmilk Latte to go... YUMM!!! Last November, I went to Cafe Bambino's Holiday Bazaar and bought a couple of items including this beautiful mug that I drank my Latte in when I got home. The owner of Cafe Bambino is a talented ceramic artist and hand makes ceramic mugs like this, bowls, cups, candle holders, etc. She often sells these items in her shop. Stop in soon. They make amazing coffee and espresso drinks. Cheers!!!

Went up to the window to order but saw QR codes everywhere stating "view menu and order online" (there is no other menu to look at) so stepped aside to start this process to then have the woman working ignore me and my girlfriend to help someone that was sitting down and arrived after us at the window. Finished ordering online to then have my girlfriend's and this other person's drink arrive 5 drinks ahead of mine. When we asked where my mocha was, the barista gave us a dirty look and said he was working on it then. The mocha had minimal flavor and needed to be adjusted after trying. Main staple since 1928 but idk how or why with this level of customer service.

super cute little cafe! great coffee, yummy breakfast options and an outdoor seating area with heaters!! love this place

Pleasant little coffee shop near Ballard. We'll stop here often on our return trips to This neighborhood.

Great, friendly cafe that you can stop by for a drink and a pastry. The place feels like a neighborhood spot...it is a little small with just 3-4 seats at the counter next to the window and another 2 seat bench outside the window where you can sit, read or just people watch. The drinks were made fast and most people were in an out within 5 minutes..super efficient. P.S. they take credit cards. But if you pay cash, you get a little discount, too.

My favorite coffee shop in all of Seattle! The locals that frequent the shop have become a warm and welcoming face in the mornings, and the baristas are top notch. Not to mention , the coffee is the best I've ever had (soy vanilla latte - you won't regret it.) Bring a book, grab a coffee, and enjoy the bustling neighborhood of Ballard on their small and quaint patio.

I would love if I could love this place. It's so tiny and cute. It's apparently been an institution for decades. It could hardly be any closer to home. The workers are incredibly nice. The last time I was in, one of them very cutely swung by the patio to tell us she had to leave for a few minutes and was locking up but would be right back. The problem is just the coffee. And this is a coffee shop, so that's a big problem. When I go out for coffee, I almost always get americanos. The americano here is like something you would get at a small town coffee shop where they don't know what an americano is and they just mix drip coffee with hot water. This coffee is thin, lifeless, flavorless. There are so many better options for coffee in Ballard and Phinney Ridge that I don't expect I'll ever go here again.

I really wanted to like this but this was the worst latte I've ever had. I took 1 sip and that was it. I could not drink it anymore. I wound up going to another store to get a drink. The staff seemed really friendly and everyone hanging around seemed really great as well. It was just not my taste.

Such a cute, tiny little coffee shop. There are a few bar seats inside and some seats outside which are great on a nice day. Their coffee is tasty, I really enjoyed my latte. They have some very yummy looking cookies and baked goods and they have a punch card program where your 13th coffee is free!!

A quaint coffee shop with a lot of character. However, the quality of the coffee depends massively on who works the espresso machine. Permanent/longstanding staff make delicious drinks with a lot of care; other workers will slap globs of foam on watery espresso and tell you it's a macchiato.

I've been driving past Café Bambino for many years when I visit the Ballard Goodwill. I like this stretch of Ballard (think Ridgeback Café and Chocolat Vitale), now I can add Café Bambino to this quality list. Earlier this morning after an amazing haul of cool finds at GW, had parking karma to finally pull over to check out Café Bambino. Landmark to watch for - has the cool Buddha tea/coffee cup and saucer on top of the building! Another stamp card destination for this indie coffee house fan! Clearly a neighborhood destination since both in and out were full of people. Baked goods from Le Panier, Little Rae's, Mighty O. Very personable and welcoming barista who made an excellent mocha. Kiddo ordered a peppermint tea. A good sign is that two of their knick knacks I have, with one I just bought earlier from my GW visit. Thanks for adding to an already awesome Saturday morning!

Easily my favorite coffee shop in the Ballard area. The staff are so nice and welcoming. The outside seating area is perfect on nice days. The coffee is strong and I haven't had a cup that was less than perfect. It's a great neighborhood stop and I look forward to my trip there almost every day They have a punch card program - buy 12 get the 13th free - which is pretty standard for the industry I think. The prices are slightly lower than others in the area.

First time visiting. Very quick in-and-out experience. Staff did not engage in a friendly way at all but, hey, no big deal. Customer service work is hard work, I know. But, to have the person processing the transaction say, "Stick your card there and then you put it in your tip" was just too presumptive to me. Okay, so I put in half of what I normally tip. Having worked for tips for a good portion of my life, I would never have tried to demand a tip, much less done so with no eye contact, no flicker of a smile, and no thank you. Deeply unimpressed. Then the coffee (simple americano) was awful. How do you screw up an americano?! Bitter and watery - it was as if they used the previous grounds from someone else's drink. Did they? I should have kept my eyes on the process!! Since I was on the road, there was no way for me to get back to ask them to remake it. Just dumped it out when I got home and made my own - MUCH better - americano.

My favorite local coffee shop. I appreciate that they offer so many substitutes, including my favorite: oat milk. I'd recommend the white mocha with oat milk as it's what I usually order and it always makes my morning. Because of CoVid-19, Cafe Bambino uses the Joe app in order to facilitate contactless pick-ups. I place my order on the app and then walk the few blocks' distance between my home and Bambino and bam! my order is ready by the time I arrive. If you live in the neighborhood, support this historic, quaint coffee shop by regularly indulging yourself with their delicious drinks.

This place, far and away, has the best espresso in the city. For years, this has been where I bring all my visiting friends and family for an impressive Seattle cup of coffee. Half the time they want to buy the beans to take home. Last time a friend did that I finally learned why these beans taste so good -- apparently the owners get beans from Italy and then roast them over a certain kind of wood. I forget what kind. But I was like oh! I knew there was something special about this coffee. Owners have great taste in art too. The cool baby and coffee on top of the shop is what initially brought me in a while ago, but it's also got this cool historic storefront feel with artwork on sale inside that's often pretty impressive. During covid, they have a thing where you can order coffee through the Joe app and then they have it up for you within 5 minutes - pretty quick. Can't go inside anymore, but they have an outdoor window pick up station.

Extending my olive branches and compliments to the mysterious one who conjured a pinky delight that was gifted to me. Who knew carbonated liquids and squeezes of strawberry extracts could taste so italian and by italian i mean delicious.

Brought my Mamas here to meet their friend. "Very charming place", my Mamas said. Definitely had a very relax charming vibe to it. I give this place 5 paws.

Amazing espresso, friendly staff, a real neighborhood gem!

Seattle's Coffee Yelp Recognition Award: Best Place to Sip & Stand Coffee Sipping room only...since 1928. THIS is the type of neighborhood cafe I envision when I think of Seattle! [Except for the fact that they use Italian beans, Berardo.] Driving downhill from Phinney Ridge along NW 65th into Ballard, you can't miss the Bambino Buddha sitting atop the cafe with wide eyes like Big Brother (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cafe-bambino-seattle?select=R9pyzRU7SNiuxzwusCh_zw#kK21QXzohYB0n_WeWh0Xwg). There's only space for a cashier and a barista behind the rounded convex counter, with six stools at the window. No four-legged friends allowed inside--and honestly there's no space for them. They have some awesome antiques put to use like a lacquer sugar bowl, Wrigley gum dispenser and stained windows. I love their selection of coffee fixings with honey on a hot plate so it stays smooth. Nice touch! And heck, it's even Obama approved (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cafe-bambino-seattle?select=R9pyzRU7SNiuxzwusCh_zw#b5yaIm-w_xMfjes0UFJs-g) Everyone appears to visit for the Mighty-O-Donuts they sell (no trans-fats or hydrogenated oils). My man enjoyed their potently delicious cappuccino, extra wet. I sipped on their chocolatey delicious mocha. On a lazy, dreary Sunday, this is where I can be found reading the newspaper. However, on a sunny day, their outside side patio is wonderful.

Okay coffee, okay location, okay baristas, okay, well, it's just okay. It's a bit too crowded in the main part, so if you're claustrophobic, forget it! I have yet to try any pastries or sit out on the patio... perhaps I'll go back and give it another shot. **updated 2/3/08*** Went back again, because hubby has been going here for a while - I was quite shocked how much better the coffee was! I will be back. I liked their sign that said they were going to be closing early due to the holiday. When asked what holiday, they said Groundhog's Day! I'm sure they were closing early for a different reason, but I love that sense of humor.

The coffee is good, but if you are not a regular standing around telling stories, you don't seem to get a friendly welcome or paid much notice for that matter. Conversation was happening with the woman behind me before I was even asked my order. A cramped little spot with 3 regulars standing around shooting the breeze. With nowhere to stand after my order I ended up a corner where I wasn't even alerted that my coffee was ready, I only noticed it was sitting on the counter when I saw she was pouring another drink. Decent price, good coffee but not amped on the service. Treat people as equals, whether we are regulars or just in the area. We are all paying customers!

This place has delicious and tasty coffee. The baristas are fun and friendly. The have cute hoodies and shirts for sale. If Obama is wearing it, you should too! The art work on the wall adds a nice touch. Who doesn't like a Buddah Belly? Come check it out for yourself!

This review depends on what you want in a coffee shop. This place IS a 5 star place IF what you like is a neighborhood shop where you pop in and have either a quick espresso/cap or take something to go. Or if you get a nice weather day and you want to read a book/the paper/ chat on the patio. They have good service and good coffee and are one of the few shops in town that fit this mold. This place IS NOT a 5 star place if you are looking for somewhere to park and use your computer. They do not have WiFi and it would not be the best fit if that is what you are looking for. Love it for what it is, or go somewhere else in the hood.

nice local place. They have a great seating area outside for coffee in the summer :) The person who worked there (maybe not the owner) was really quite nice. I got a simple iced americano and some chocolate zucchini bread. The zucchini bread wasn't that sweet, which was fine for me. It was, on the other hand, very moist. The americano was fine. I like that their punch card system (buy 10 coffee drinks = 1 free) is on the honor system and you can leave your card there (alphabetized by name) so you don't have to worry about forgetting it next time you come in.

great coffee and atmosphere! Plus don't mind putting two shots over ice for me!!! it is walking distance form my house so hey can't beat it! the staff are always accomidating and they are one of the few coffee places with great svory delights to go with your coffee which I prefer over sweet in the morning~~ check out this Seattle classic!@

I only give this two stars because I didn't want to deprive the other people who work there from a good score. I used to like this place, but I don't much anymore. The owner seems a bit more than surly (people think surly is good in this city when it comes to coffee) and well, I don't need that with my coffee.

I'd say their prices are pretty much average for Seattle. It's super small but cute. The outside sitting area is very nice on a good day. The shop always seems to have lots of regulars. The staff is nice and the coffee is very strong. I'd say a solid 4 stars. Also they have a punch card program. I believe it's 12 cups and the 13th is free which isn't the best free coffee program I've seen but hey! Free is free.

Tiny place, nice outdoor seating area. Great espresso, I will come back!!!

I'm by this place all the time and I can't believe I hadn't gone in until recently. The coffee actually is pretty good and there is a nice little porch that sits next to the shop. The porch is shady (as in absence of sun, not hoodlum) and there is some minor people-watching potential on 65th street. The inside of the shop is tiny (single file only, please!) and I think they only take cash and checks. Don't try to use the Starbucks Visa here.

Cash discount, cute tiny coffee shop. Strong coffee served with a smile and friendly service. The shops on 65th are adorable and this coffee shop is no exception. Delicious local pastries available from the most popular bakery's in Seattle served with great coffee.

This is exactly the little hole in the wall style cafe that I love. This place is tiny and cozy and is oozing with charm. I love all the stylings they have in the shop and for such a small place, they really make use of every nook and cranny. I was impressed that they have a pretty good selection of food too (I got one of the panini's and it was delicious!). But lets get down to the real reason anyone goes to coffee shops.... the coffee! I asked where the coffee was from and they get their espresso from Italy. I was not disappointed. The coffee was smooth and delicious (I got an americano). One of the best I have had in Seattle since moving here. It probably didn't hurt that the worker behind the counter (meg?) was very friendly, informative and made us feel welcome. Bottom line: Great Coffee + yummy food + great customer service = I'm a fan! I plan on coming back here many times.

The cool staff and quaintness of this place make it a gem in the rough of Ballard. The coffee is always made well, never bitter. They have a small selection of pastries, but a wonderful small selection. The breakfast sandwiches they carry keep me coming back for more. The cool outdoor patio has heating lamps, so it's a perfect place to enjoy a hot chocolate with peppermint, read a good novel and enjoy the festive Christmas decorations they put up every year. The only downside is that they don't let you bring your dog in with you. My poor pup sadly sits outside and stares longingly in the window hoping for a treat...which they took away when they decided dogs were no longer welcome.

Cafe Bambino is a pretty cool little coffee shop that reminds me of the coffee shop of old Seattle - small, cramped, and delicious aromas penetrating hitting you as you walk in the door. Overall, the staples you will find here are pretty basic. They have good coffee - the cappuccino i ordered was great with a good head of foam. They also have your standard baked goods, which i want to try next time i'm there. The thing that bumped this review from 3 to 4 stars was the Mighty-O-Donuts they offer, which I love, and are phenomenal. Now I won't have to venture to Wallingford next time I want one! A solid staple to the neighborhood.

Hop-Along & I woke with our usual weekend coffee cravings this morning. But because the Ballard Nordic Festival is in full, annoyingly crowded swing until tomorrow, we knew 'north' was our most viable option to escape the buzz kill of horrible children running in front of us practically asking for a kick in the shins. I have only been once before; Hop-Along, however, tends to walk up here nearly weekly when he's not injuring himself by means of softball or juvenile delinquents. On this trip, I was pleasantly surprised at the experience (esp. having read my good friend Carrie H.'s review last week). My mocha was perfectly made, the conversation with the two baristas a great pick-me-up on my groggy morning (not to mention their witty banter with a regular customer rather entertaining), and although it was nearly noon by then, the selection and quality of breakfast items/pastries still well-stocked and fresh. However, we ended up bringing our coffee & pastries back home because, as other reviewers have noted, the shop portion of Bambino is awfully small (only a small bar and 2-3 stools for sitting on the inside). There is the outside patio area that I thought might be nice on such a sunny day, but there were two musicians playing and taking up maybe half of that space as well. Thanks to another Bambino reviewer, though, who says the musicians are only there on the weekends from 11am-2pm-- I will most likely come back another time OUTSIDE of that window so that I can actually enjoy the coffee & conversation with room to actually extend my arms when I yawn (assuming the caffeine hasn't hit yet). But other than the small space situation, I rather enjoyed my experience and my blueberry scone this morning, and shall return soon to add on the punches to my card.

Love this little friendly shop. A quality cup every time. If you are there around dusk you will be treated to their neon sign. The best coffee places feel like you're walking into a Wes Anderson movie and this is one. Sweet.

I don't understand these reviews, I need to stop in again to ensure I'm not delusional. Disgusting coffee, I think I ended up pouring it out. And I'm no newb to the coffee scene - the home set-up rivals most shops in town. Strong, overly acidic, but cute little space and great location. I'll try again - all these people can't be wrong, maybe I just came on an off day? PS-really loved the cute little sugar holder. That was way more memorable than the coffee.

I just wrote a review the heading is stuck on provo..... I like this place, its not like if this spot wasn't there it would make it a different or better place. I would usually go to the Eastern orthodox church a couple of blocks up and just sit on the steps while drinking the coffee. When I worked at goodwill next door, I would go get a cup around 8 a.m, before the whole process of opening started. theres a neat little bucket of cigarettes by the front door with American spirit clips that can help a nic - fit...just like the stores and laundrymat across the street.

Tiny coffee shop with delicious espresso and Le Fournil pastries. Had a latte and a cheese danish on my way to Greenlake, and it made for a perfect morning!

Hands down best coffee ever! OK, i will admit that there is one guy (VERY laid back, puts soooo much love and patients into the drink hes making that it just blows my mind) and one girl (who i believe knows me now, which means good service from her!) who make it the best and by best i mean i ONLY go here now when i want coffee in hopes one of them may be working, ya its that good. The other few baristas who i think I've only encountered a couple times aren't AS good, coffee a little burnt or too much milk, but its still better them most. Yes, they aren't the most friendly group, but the place is TINY and its almost always got a couple people waiting, so i don't blame them if there just trying to make the coffee instead of chattin. Good selection of baked goods too! They have a cute balcony which usually has some type of LIVE music going. It more then makes up for the lack of inside space. If i could give 4 1/2 stars i would, but i think it deserves 5 more then 4!

As a coffee connoisseur this is a must have cup of cappuccino...a delightful step-away from the dreaded Starbucks. If you've never had the chance... It is most certainly worth the trip. A delightful cup of java.

I just moved into a house down the street from here. My husband LOVES the coffee but I got a soy latte and it was no bueno! It tasted like beans, not coffee beans, but rice and beans type of beans. I think maybe the barista over steamed the milk? Stopped in again this morning for a bagel, the young lady barista was super friendly and I loved the welcoming atmosphere! I will try the coffee again when I'm feeling adventurous.

Recently moved to the area and tried Cafe Bambino. The staff was very friendly and the coffee was great. This is our new go to place for coffee. They also have pastries and goodies. My wife got a piece of lemon and lavender cake which was large and very tasty. The place is pretty small with some seating inside but that's not a big deal. There is a large covered seating area next to the Cafe if you want to hang out.

Totally a local spot! Teeny tiny place, with donuts, bagels and coffee! Loved walking here in the mornings from my air bnb!!! Definitely worth the stop!

If you're going to review your own business you should at least proof read your copy. I have actually been to Cafe Bambino as a customer, and have found the people here to be rude. Not recommended!