Ancient Grounds

When I think of artistic Seattle coffee shops, this is what I think of. It’s like an Asian art gallery that happens to have tables and coffee. The prices are amazing too, I’m pretty sure it’s cheaper than Starbucks. 100% give this place a try, you’ll love it from the moment you step in.

This was a TERRIBLE unauthentic mocha. They use hazelnut flavored sauce instead of chocolate: absolutely disgusting and unacceptable. I’m still bitter I even went in here, I could have walked a block in any direction and gotten a great espresso drink! This is a weird place that sells kimonos, used and new, and the walls are covered with crazy Japanese masks. There’s an old dude with a beard making coffee and he doesn’t seem right. This is not a real coffee place.

If ever you’re in the area, stop in an take a look at all the interesting items. Such a cool coffee shop! And the guy is super nice.

Fantastic coffee and pumpkin bread. The interior and art is absolutely gorgeous.

Delicious chai tea latte, lots of vintage Japanese kimonos, yukatas, and more. Great way to start off my trip to Seattle

A decent cappuccino in an interesting shop. It’s full of Asian silks and object de arts. Many masks to view and buy.
The owner was quite nice while I was there. However, there was no A/​C if that makes a difference.

A lot of cool ancient treasures, also you can hang out and do some work. Great selection

Great coffee and antiquities, what more could you ask for? Charming gentleman behind the counter and lovely classical music playing made for a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of shopping. I highly recommend this place for a unique twist on the afternoon coffee break!

The coffee tasted great, better than many I’ve tried.
But this rating is for the owner’s attitude. And when there’s no professionalism, it doesn’t matter how good the coffee is.
I was really excited to try out Ancient Grounds because the coffeehouse/​gallery concept was interesting. I woke up early to head here before work. I had only looked at the menu for a few seconds before he asked how he could help. Sounds nice, but there was an urgency in his voice and annoyance on his face, as if he wanted me out immediately and wasn’t sure why I was even there. There were only the two of us, so it wasn’t like I was holding anyone up. I told him I needed more time, but he prodded me again less than a minute later. Awkward, but I brushed it off. After I ordered, I tried having a conversation with him about his gallery. I only got a couple questions in before realizing that this guy wasn’t going to be friendly. He gave me one-​word answers without looking at me, as if having a conversation was a chore.
When he finally handed me my coffee, he said it would be $ 3.25, but he said «three and a quarter,» with an emphasis on the «t» in quarter. First of all, are you so much holier and more sophisticated than the rest of us that you can’t just say «three twenty five»? Second, I speak English, so no need to enunciate your words as if I had trouble speaking English to you, though with your elitist attitude, you probably assumed I had just hopped off the boat. And of course, he couldn’t let me go without a cherry on top — instead of handing me my lid, he tossed it on the table.
It is beyond me as to why this place gets great reviews or better yet, what I did to this guy to set him off. I fell for the trap disguised by the great reviews, but perhaps (and, if so, fortunately) most people don’t, as evidenced by the dust collecting on the artifacts he hopes to sell.

How I heard of this place: When we moved to Belltown, a neighbor and good friend invited me out for a summer walk. We traversed downtown, Pioneer Square, and belltown; along the way, she pointed out her favorite coffee shop in Seattle. Four months later, it was high time I made my way to Ancient Grounds.
Type of cuisine: Coffee roasted by Lighthouse Roasters in Phinney and Macrina pastries, prepared and served by owner, proprietor and educator, Roland W. Crawford.
Ambiance: This Gallery and Coffeehouse is one of the rare gems of Seattle coffeehouses. Located just across the street from the Seattle Art Museum, the ancient and history-​laden artwork from across the globe entices museum buffs and collectors. Step inside the small windowed 1^st Avenue-​facing entrance and one is delightfully surprised by the autumn-​toned velour couch and armchairs and the aroma of freshly ground coffee permeating the art-​filled space. While we peruse the menu and the artwork surrounding us, my sister engages Roland in conversation; throughout our comfortable stay, he returned to share with us his recipe secrets, stories of his art contacts and his love of coffee.
What I ordered: My sister started with a large Americano ($ 2.10) topped with steamed whole milk, creating an orchid in her mug. My husband chose large the Mocha Breve ($ 3.25) and I enjoyed the tall Mocha ($ 2.50) with only 1.5 shots of smooth, caramely espresso.
What I loved: The sweet mocha powder decorating the top of my mocha!
Why I loved it: A beautiful atmosphere of art, history, and cozy café all rolled into one.
Cost: Low to average ($ 1.60 — $ 3.25 per espresso beverage)

This is a great shop.
The proprietor is a really neat guy that I always enjoy talking to. I tend to pop in here when I’m waiting for the wife to get off work. He understands my coffee snobbery, and is very engaging.
The coffee is good. The art is great and varied. The prices are better than many coffee shops in the area, and of much higher quality.
The vibe of the place is really neat. I love to just tuck into a quiet corner, sip my coffee, and do some surfing or reading.

Ancient Grounds is my favorite coffee shop. Here are my reasons:
1. Roland is the coolest dude I have ever seen running a coffee shop. If you could combine Merlin, Batman, and Doctor Seuss into a single human, you would get Roland.
2. Roland KNOWS his coffee. He isn’t making you some lame coffee from some lame machine. One time I saw a guy ask him how he makes it, and I was blown away. He uses some kind of magical (probably) coffee machine. I don’t fully remember how he described the technique, but I feel like it’s comparable to ninjitsu.
3. There is art everywhere. Not like, wimpy art, either. Big, GIANT art. Art that makes you question your own existence. Art that looks you right in the eyes and just stares at your soul without blinking.
So, next time you’re on 1^st Avenue and you’re like «wow, I should get a S_​_​_​B_​_​_​s Pumpkin Spice Latte…» stop it. Go to Ancient Grounds.

What an awesome shop. Relaxed, unique, excellent coffee, gregarious and friendly owner. The conversation was actually human here, as opposed to the thousands of other shops that are stale. What a cool place to get coffee downtown. We felt much better having a cup here than anyplace in Seattle.

Definitely the most unique coffee shop I’ve been in so far.
Arts, arts everywhere! It’s more arts than coffee.
While I understand that the barista may be a person of eloquence, class, prestige, wisdom, culture, etc etc., I don’t feel like that ‘way’ of carrying oneself sits well with the usual and «normal» coffee crowd. It can put some people off.
But hey, at the end of the day it is your business and I have no say in how you run it!

I’d heard about this place from some locals as well as dusty traveler types who depend on their coffee like most people need sunshine and water. If an espresso sipping archaeologist (one sensitive to the plight of First Nation people and ancient Dynasties) married a museum curator this place would be their love child. I had both an espresso and latte and found myself impressed by the smoothness and heat of the drinks. Perfect. Ambience? I felt like I was in the long house of my ancestors, truly. Support this business as one of the great unique coffee houses of Seattle and easily one of the best in the world. Part of me still expected Indiana Jones to come in from the back dusting himself off before sitting down to a coffee.

Beautiful shop, with genuine and kind barista. Just sitting in here is comforting and cool. It has a great collection of native art, and you feel like you are in an alcove of artifacts like Indiana jones!