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Espresso Vivace
Coffee Shop and Bakery$$$$
South Lake Union, Seattle
This coffee shop is famous for their espresso drinks. It's one of the most popular in the city!
"Cafe Nico is excellent"(9 Tips)
"Excellent staff and best coffee in Seattle!"(6 Tips)
"Try the Caffe Nico: a luxurious, orange-tinted breve."(3 Tips)
"their book on professional espresso preparation."(61 Tips)
127 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Best coffee in Seattle (maybe in USA as I visited alot of cities in different state) and the staff are very friendly. But they have to look for the pastries, they always out of them
Christopher JarzabekApril 7, 2013Favorite drink is White Velvet, but you can't go wrong with anything here. Also really like the ginger cider and Italian soda. The baristas are always friendly. Tip well!
Single origin coffee is rotated in on Sunday's, if you're lucky, you can snag some on Monday morning here at the Alley or up at their other location Brix on Broadway.
They have a vegan soyrizo breakfast taco, and some vegan donuts! For Americanos remember that all sizes use two shots of espresso so you might want to add one or two for that extra pick me up.
Best coffee in Seattle. Grab a Cafe Nico (or a Nico soda or a Nico Latte) if you want to try something new.
EpicuriousAugust 3, 2014The focus here is very specific—no drip coffee, just espresso drinks made from arabica beans they have been roasting in the Northern Italian style since 1992. Read more
Their specialty is anything espresso based. The cafe nico is perfect, try a latte or macchiato for something more typical, or have an espresso soda for something really refreshing.
They are open late (11pm) and have a separate room for quiet working or meetings. My choices here are either a creamy White Velvet or a Cafe Nico. Both are wonderful!
- Drip, Venti, Trenta.... You won't find those here, don't even try and order it. Get an espresso, cappuccino, latte. Tall (grande in iced) is the largest size served here.
Rami JBFebruary 11, 2016Worth the flight and walk! Best coffee shop experience! Seattle has a lot to choose from but this place is a must!
- Best hazelnut latte I have ever had! Chocolate covered graham cookies are also highly recommended 😋
KristenelleJune 4, 2017For a city that prides itself on good coffee, this shop has some of the best. Great latte.
Food & WineApril 25, 2011David Schomer & Geneva Sullivan opened the first Espresso Vivace 20 years ago, introducing Seattle to the Northern Italian espresso tradition: reddish-brown shots of espresso with a superthick crema.
Kitt HodOctober 4, 2018The latte art is lovely, as it would be given the place is Dave Schomer’s (look him up and be amazed!).
Chris MessinaSeptember 24, 2013What to Order: A straight shot of the Dolce espresso, of course. (The Vita is only used in drinks with milk and sugar.)
Kevin ArtsMay 9, 2015The Cafe Nico was creamy, smooth, and heavy with cinnamon. Espresso shots are powerful and have a nice thickness.
Todd AlexanderJanuary 7, 2016Espresso was good would go back to get a latte. The cider tasted like a McDonald's apple pie and in a good way
SaleemApril 16, 2015Solid cappuccino. Wasn't the best but that's ok. Customer service was horrible-- nasty, visible attitude to my friends for not tipping $1=30% tip. Just not professional or acceptable.
Really wonderful coffee - but the Wi-Fi is pretty terrible. (I think that's maybe by design, though, so people don't treat the place like an office?)
Beau RainesJune 27, 2013They really care about their coffee here. The baristas know their stuff and make it great.
- They have some tasty gluten free treats, scones, loaves, and a few others.
- If you like the Nico, but think it's too small, you can ask for a Latte Nico Style. Personally, it's too much milk, but still tasty.
for those who like 'skinny mochas' dont bother here. you have to go 'full flavor' for the Vivace experience. bring somebody you love with you to share the joy.
Fantastic coffee. Not as much food selection as their Broadway location though
Try the White Velvet - Made with melted Ghirardelli white chocolate chips, you'll never have a better white chocolate mocha. EVER.
Their "Caffe Nico" is probably the best beverage you can get in this town. Drink it at the counter!
Linden LiuSeptember 23, 2013It's really a nice place to enjoy coffee. The temperature and pressure are controlled carefully.
I like the ham cheese biscuit, the bear claw and the mint chocolate...
MattApril 18, 2010on a sunny day when the windows are open, sit at a window-side bar and enjoy a blackberry Italian soda with the heavy cream of course.
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Open until 11:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 6:00 AM–11:00 PM
(206) 388-5164
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Dessert
See More
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- 8.4
"Great coffee. Fast Wi-Fi. Com Truise playing in the background. What more do you need?"
Reid Burke - 7.6
"Beautiful, sunlit with floor-to-ceiling windows. Comfy seating upfront, quiet nook in the back. Great location with Clover!"
Elizabeth L. - 7.7
"Try a pour-over! I had the El Salvador which is their current reserve pour-over... Delicious!"
Eric Skeens
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- 9.3
"Easily the coolest REI store anywhere. Make sure you go through the main entrance, because its awesome. Kids play area and restaurant and climbing wall. I could die happy here."
Monica Oliver - 7.2
"Great selection of unique burgers made to order (or build your own) plus tasty cocktails and shakes."
P J - 8.7
"Try the Salad Bar - Kale, berries, seeds, nuts, tuna, gluten free, spinach, mixed greens, veggies"
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