Empire Espresso

I was in Seattle and had some time to myself, I decided to explore the neighborhood and find a nice café. I found Empire Espresso. I ordered the cortado & OF COURSE I ordered a waffle (obsessed w/​waffles). My waffle was supposed to have Nutella on it but they were out so we decided to sub for peanut butter with a ton of whipped cream on top. It was sooo freakin’ delicious. The 2 guys running the shop were really friendly & warm. There were only 2 other people while I was there given it was a Tuesday afternoon. I kinda liked it that way though, so serene.
Check this place out! They offer paninis too. :)

I love this café! They have awesome staff and attract diverse customers… I met people from Eritrea, France, Minnesota (teachers) and even an arborist there yesterday! Upon being recommended the blueberry rooibos cashew milk tea latte, I ordered that from the barista who let me smell the different Rishi teas which were in their bottles. The weekend waffle bar is absolutely worth it… only $ 7.75 for a freshly-​made waffle with your choice of any/​all of the toppings such as marionberries, lime, pineapple, coconut, almonds, chocolate, honey, and butter (my choices) as well as Nutella and peanut butter. The tables were a little sticky (I just wiped them off quickly with a napkin) and the seating is a little cramped (skinny walkway between the counter and tables), but I made do. My favorite part of the café, however, is hands-​down the diversity of people that it attracts.

Iced breves are good and the atmosphere is great. I especially like the back patio. The back wall is a roll up door that when open makes the patio part of the shop.

They don’t serve coffee. They make nice lattes and have nice pastries and it’s a very pretty spot.
But they don’t serve coffee.

Best coffee I’ve had in Seattle. Rivals the best coffee from LA, SF, NYC, Melbourne Australia, etc. etc. This place is a gem.
I know coffee culture, and while I love to make beautiful coffee and play with overpriced Italian steel, I also understand that it’s basically the most underpaid food preparation job, and the people who do it are often amazingly talented and unrecognized.
That being said, the complaints on here are really not cool… not even a bit.
Please think about what you’re saying. A good metaphor is treat good baristas like top bar tenders or chefs. There’s a lot of knowledge behind that bar, and a lot of places take that for granted and under pay these people, and people don’t get it and treat these people like cold stone employees… not the same thing.
Case in point, 1 reviewer complains that $ 4 bucks is too much for a latte. Really? A shot of bottom shelf tequila costs more than that at most bars. Also, starbucks can’t be much cheaper, and it’s gross.
The reviewer then proceeds to sit her ass down in a «free office» for a few hours, only to later complain about a Barista, who doesn’t jump to do things for her like a trained puppy.
That person gets paid nothing to make you art. A good Itamae (sushi chef) isn’t going to be super friendly, unless that person knows you, and the same is true for most mixologists at a busy bar. They should be focused on their craft. In the case of a coffee shop, they can’t afford to hire more people to run drinks, because they only charge $ 4 bucks, and over-​privileged college students squat there all day.
It’s also not the library, so if people make noise like a normal café, GTFO. But wait, there’s more!
I forgot to mention the coffee snob that doesn’t understand coffee at all.
If you’re going to slam a proper café on Unilocal,talk about coffee in a way that coffee people understand, or better yet, at a place like this, tell them why you didn’t like your coffee, and see if they can fix it before you rush to the internet to throw them under the bus. The same is true at a quality cocktail bar. Also, learn about coffee!
When you talk about your coffee, talk about the particulars in a sane way. Mention the microfoam, the flavor profile. Order a cappuccino or flat-​white, not some huge-​ass milk thingy. Here’s a good start:
The microfoam in my flat-​white was outstanding. The coffee profile had a caramel and chocolate base with a berry finish. Acidic? Not at all. Hot? Yes, but mostly because the cup was heated, which is a rarity. When baristas heat the cups, the coffee can be hot for 30 seconds before you decide to inhale it like a heffer at the trough. Read the linked piece on how to judge coffee. It should NOT be luke-​warm or cold.
Sorry for the rant Unilocalers, but if people are going to review things, they need to provide some context, have at least a tiny bit of knowledge about the culture, before they decide to go all millennial and beat-​up on people who are already suffering.

Been here multiple times when I’m around the area and need to get work done. Waffle bar is great, food is delicious, coffee is consistent each time. Coffee is made to order which is always a plus. Only downside is the limited seating and small tables, but the overall vibe makes up for it. They play good music and even play sports on the TV sometimes :)

This is the place to get coffee in Columbia City. There are only a few other options, the main one being S***b**ks. I would put them on par with any Blue Bottle or equivalent. The place is small and somehow inserted into a commercial building, but the vibe inside is nice and cozy, if a bit dark. Highly recommended.

Empire is honestly my favorite coffee shop in Seattle. Where else is there a coffee shop that makes Nutella waffles and delicious panini’s all day long. I also love their mochas, and I probably visit 3+ times a week for reading and work.
*hands down, my favorite Barista is Violet. Not only is she incredibly friendly and professional, her music selection is by far my favorite and my drinks and food are consistently delicious when she’s there. Which I cannot say to be true for other baristas who work there. It’s tough to work in the customer service industry because often times customers behave terribly. After having witnessed her dealing with a difficult customer with grace and a smile. I am going the extra mile to recommend empire…
On the downside it’s incredibly difficult to find a seat at peak hours and it’d be great if ownership would consider expanding upstairs.

Really nice place! My brother’s kids were down for a nap so after he picked us up from the airport, we went to Empire to hang out before going back to the house. Empire is on a street with a decent amount of street parking. The space is really nice, with additional seating out back. Three of us shared a French press of Colombian coffee. It was delicious! Very fragrant. Staff is very nice.

It was my first time here at Empire. I went here at 2pm on a Sunday to study and was pleased to find one last spot open. I ordered a latte ($ 4) which was pretty pricey for a 12oz. It was delicious with very nice latte art of a ghost (Halloween around the corner). All the tables were full and got very loud, so I would suggest to go elsewhere if you want to have quiet study time.
Reason why I am giving it a 3.5 star actually is I was not really impressed with the service. I was greeted and had my order taken in a rude manner as if the person was just trying to hurry me along because they have other drinks to make… so I understand. But no that was not the case. After my order, they just stood around while one person made my drink. Table space was very tight, just had enough room for my laptop and maybe a small notebook. I would come back again to try their famous Cayenne Mocha but I will be taking that to-​go.

A café-​type place for intimate conversation or just to chill out (not recommended for groups). The coffee is strong, no need to feel like its diluted. I got the matcha latte which was pleasant. The waffles are what bring me here. I feel like it tastes like corn meal mix? but its buttery goodness and plain with syrup is perfection. I would recommend to come back for the drinks and waffles, wasnt impressed by the meat/​cheese plate.

It is a really cute shop. Not a whole lot of space. I went for lunch with a friend on a friday and it was full of hard workers, hopefully we didnt bother anyone.
I really enjoyed the cayenne mocha, and i enjoyed the spinach basil mozz and tomato panini, but not the egg spinach sandwich. I would come back for coffee and waffles! Unfortunately i had just eaten a donut and felt i didnt need a waffle, damn. Next time empire!

I came into this coffee shop to do some work which ended up fine. They have free wifi and, on a Saturday night, the place doesn’t get packed which is fortunate since its a rather small coffee shop.
My first experience at Empire Espresso was not at all impressive. The barista didn’t immediately come to me at the register when I was ready to order because he was having a conversation if a girl sitting wanted a «grill cheese sandwich» or a «grillED cheese sandwich.» I awkwardly stood there for a minute and had to wait until their little back and forth was over.
I ordered a 16oz. latte. The barista came to my table with it which was really nice. It was okay. It came out really hot though (I burnt my tongue) and the milk fat rose to the top and there was a slight sourness.
Sticky tables.

I’ve been to this cute little place a few times in the last two weeks. I haven’t gotten any of the food yet, but I will since they have the option of gluten free bread. Their matcha latte is really good, though the genmaicha I had was far too light for me.
The atmosphere is great, inside and out, and very conducive to working. Apparently others think so too, as it’s always packed with laptop-​faced people of every age.
Friendly service and moderate pricing has me coming back to sample more of their selection when I’m in the area.

I am always on the hunt for a good spot to read and work. I have pretty high standards but am easily adding this great spot to my list!
Where else can you walk in and have your (delicious) coffee brought to you and you don’t even pay till when you leave? Already a welcoming and casual atmosphere that I love.
The place is quiet and super cozy. Pretty small but definitely fit for reading and studying. Plugs along the wall, free wifi, and even extends to a cute little patio with a few tables.
and pastries but I’m all about the perfect atmosphere.

First off I am lactose intolerant. I came here and asked for the my latte with hemp milk. They messed up and put whole milk in my drink.
At first I was quite upset but when I asked about it after drinking all of it, they remembered and gave us our drinks on them.
Reason I am leaving a 4 star review, is because although I am lactose intolerant. The coffee was f$@£ing amazing. I’ll deal with having to be on the toilet for a few hours it was worth it. Plus great customer service!

This café is so cute and aesthetically pleasing! It’s kinda small but they have outside sitting. Perfect for those nice days out! :)
The drink menu is a bit small and I wish they had frappes but the taste makes up for it, I guess! My first order here was just a blackberry Italian soda because it was like the closest thing to a frappé/​smoothie. xD it was nicely made! They use a cute tin cup when you dine in, to keep the drinks cold! Their food menu has a good variety! I wasn’t planning on buying food but I saw that they had happy hour grilled cheese for only $ 2.50 so I had to try it out! It was pretty good, but would have been better with some marinara sauce or something. :x
Overall, I like this place a lot! No wonder it has such a high rating!

Empire Espresso is a hip coffee shop in Columbia City. Tucked away from the main street (Rainier Ave), it’s a nice reprieve for a caffeine fix!
The space and aisle ways are a bit tight and the wooden seats aren’t very comfortable as well. However, the café is a nice neighborhood business that you should check out at least once.
Definitely try the cayenne mocha ($ 4 for a 12 oz cup). It’s chocolatey flavor has a subtle kick. Otherwise, the place smells of waffle batter and butter goodness. The waffles are deliciously simple and the savory panini options aren’t bad at $ 7-​$ 9 each.

Came here to study around 2pm and boy was it crowded! There were only two spots left at the larger table they have in the back. I guess rainy Seattle keeps people in coffee shops. It’s a cute little shop with tight seating arrangements along the wall. It’s probably best to come alone or with one other person. Tables aren’t that large. It can get a little dim but they’ll probably turn on more lighting.
Upon entering, I was greeted by the barista and took a look at their menu. They have some sandwiches, waffles, and some other goods. I mostly looked at their espresso. I’ve read about the cayenne mocha and decided to give that a try. The barista said go ahead and find a seat and I’ll bring this out to you. Interesting, okay! I don’t have to pay right now. I ended up paying just before I left. The mocha itself was a little too spicy for me, but I can see the intent with the cayenne. I will have to give the regular mocha a try.
There’s a 50 cent charge if you use your credit card, but the barista was nice enough to give me an extra punch on my new stamp card.
I think it’s a nice environment to get some work done, not overly loud. They have some seating outside so I’m excited for a nice sunny day! I will probably be back since this place is nearby has a lot of outlets and wifi.

Hidden gem in Columbia City, never would of thought this place existed there. I actually have gone through this street and didn’t even notice it.
Staff were friendly and welcoming and greeted me as I walked in. The place is pretty small so good luck going there on a not so busy time. Lucky for me there wasn’t a lot of there… yet. Seemed like everyone started arriving when I got a seat.
Anyway, I enjoyed their cayenne mocha. I’m not much of a hot drinker so I got it iced w/​breve instead of regular milk. I loved the hint of spiciness to it.
Now when it came to the waffle, I loved their waffle but I do think it should be little smaller. The serving was too much and I wasn’t able to finish it. The waffle itself was totally different. It’s light and fluffy but it definitely wasn’t that you can make at home I’ll tell you that much. Next time I come here would be with someone or when I do come here, it’ll just be for coffee. I would have to be super hungry to have another serving of their waffle.