Artisan Cafe

4.5 star rating
50 reviews Rating Details

Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt  [Edit]

2523 5th Ave
(between Wall St & Taylor Ave)
Seattle, WA 98121
Neighbourhood: Belltown
(206) 441-8885
Hours:

Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 5 pm

Sat-Sun 9 am - 4 pm

Good for Kids:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
Yes
Price Range:
$
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take Away:
Yes
Waiter Service:
No
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Wi-Fi:
Free
Good For:
Lunch
Alcohol:
No
Noise Level:
Quiet
Ambience:
Casual
Has TV:
No
Caters:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   

  • user photo
    "seems like a new favorite spot for lunch." In 2 reviews
  • user photo
    "I had the Everything Croissant which has scrambled eggs..." In 1 review
  • user photo
    "Their BGT (Bacon, gorgonzola, and tomato) is DELICIOUS." In 4 reviews
  Loading...
Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites' | Facebook Friends'

50 reviews in English

  • Review from Rosalie S.

    • 26 friends
    • 23 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    4/20/2012 1 photo 2 Check-ins Here

    Had a serious chocolate milkshake craving!  I'm 9 months pregnant so that means, I need it NOW!

    I work about 2 blocks from this place but I'd never even noticed it sitting there on the corner of 5th and Vine.

    I'm so glad I did though!  This milkshake is EXCELLENT!  They even topped it off with a little whipped cream.  

    When I checked in I received a 10% off food coupon so now I have a reason to come back and try some food.  I noticed they have some breakfast items and sandwiches.  I'm a huge fan of Vietnamese sandwiches so I just may have to come back here very soon!

  • Review from Joanne W.

    North York, ON

    Canada
    5.0 star rating
    4/19/2012 1 photo 2 Check-ins Here

    Just around the corner from my friend's place, Artisan Cafe is a small little restaurant that serves coffee, pastries, and the best: Vietnamese "baguettes" or "banh mi."  I got myself the grilled pork banh mi, and it was delicious.  Made fresh to order and the bread was fresh.   Not only this, there's free wifi, and the owners are ultra nice.

    Definitely a little gem that people have to visit in Belltown!

  • Review from Molly T.

    • 2 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    3/9/2012

    what a sweet little gem in belltown!  we stopped by for lunch a few times and the food/service was stellar each time.

    food: i've had the seattle club, which has many components to it and they all work well together.  the bacon is YUM, nice & thick.  i asked to have it grilled, even though its a cold sandwich offering.  their banh mi is pretty tasty too! we had a grilled chicken and a tofu banh mi and both were delish.  they do not skimp on the food they serve you, which is hard to come by these days!

    service: food prep may take awhile, but its understandable since they make it to order each time so everything is fresh.  the people there are always super nice and accomodating, so that's awesome.  you can tell they really care about their customers!

    the cafe itself is very clean and nicely decorated.  they have outdoor seating for warmer days.  free wifi.  i highly recommend this place!

  • Review from Allison R.

    • 0 friends
    • 11 reviews

    Tacoma, WA

    5.0 star rating
    5/19/2012 1 Check-in Here

    AWESOME place!

    I came in here for a quick lunch on a Friday. Service was fast, friendly and the place seemed very clean.

    I got the caprese sandwich. It was the best caprese sandwich I've ever had. This is saying something, I've had a LOT of them. A lot of the times panini sandwiches end up looking smooshed, this sandwich was perfect. The bread was not smooshed at all, perfectly toasted, the cheese melted all the way through.... so good! You could tell the tomato, basil, and mozzarella were super fresh, and it was more flavorful than most caprese sandwiches. I tasted some other flavor, maybe some sort of garlic spread?

    $12 for a delicious gourmet sandwich, chips, and a grande skinny vanilla latte. I will definitely be back soon!

  • Review from Julia J.

    • 3 friends
    • 2 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    5/2/2012

    My coworkers and I LOVE Artisan Cafe. The servers are extremely friendly and fast with the food and everything I've had there has been delicious (Seattle Club, Tofu Bahn Mi, Grilled Cheese). Relatively reasonably priced as well!

    One major downside (hence the 4 stars): you WILL come out of there smelling like grease/food. This is because they cook in the same open area as people eat WITHOUT a vent or hood over their stovetop. Hopefully in the summer, there will be plenty of tables to eat outside because, seriously, we actually debate whether the delicious food is worth smelling like it for the rest of the day.

    Also, if you're vegan, remind the food makers that butter is NOT vegan. They butter their bread and my vegan/lactose intolerant friend just realized today that he had been getting sick from the butter on his vegan sandwich bread.

    *EDIT* The owner wrote back to me very quickly and addressed these concerns. Apparently they ARE getting a hood range installed so the food smell is temporary! Also, they know that butter is not vegan- just be sure to mention that you are vegan before you order anything.

  • Review from Steven C.

    • 4 friends
    • 3 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    4/17/2012

    A great little cafe close to the Space Needle. They have reasonable prices and some excellent coffee! Everyone looking for a casual and chill meal should also check it out. Oh and the owners are really friendly too!

  • Review from Heidi M.

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    Updated - 1/25/2012 3 Check-ins Here

    After my previous review, I received a message from the owner, saying the staff mentioned in the previous review was indeed new, and had been trained to correct the problem.  She also mentioned that they had stopped serving the soups that were not homemade.

    So, I gave it another try on my last visit to Seattle, and I was pleasantly surprised by the improvements.  The counter staff was much more capable this time, and my order was prepared very quickly.  I tried a different sandwich this time, the Sicilian Spice, and it was really good.  The bread was delicious and fresh, and for a "half" sandwich order, the portion was really large.  As I visited on a cold, wet day - and the owner had mentioned they were serving home made soups now - I had to give the soup another try.  The baked potato soup I tried didn't really appeal to me, but I'm happy to report that it definitely looked and tasted homemade.  It was very rich and had large chunks of potatoes as well as lots of shredded cheese melted in.

    I'm happy to be proven wrong when I give a place a second try, and can definitely see myself visiting this cafe again in the future. :)

    Was this review …?

    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 3.0 star rating
      12/12/2011

      The location was convenient as I was at the Seattle Center just before lunch.  I don't know of many… Read more »

  • Review from Abby N.

    • 5 friends
    • 1 review

    Ellensburg, WA

    4.0 star rating
    4/8/2012 1 Check-in Here

    On a lunch break, and was so incredibly surprised how amazing their sandwiches were! So good!

  • Review from Chris D.

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    1/1/2012 1 photo 3 Check-ins Here

    Artisan Cafe probably doesn't deserve a full five stars, but they are clearly a family business serving delicious food and I feel obligated to reward that. I don't know about you, but getting a fantastically delicious Bánh mì for under $5 is something worth writing home about... especially when it's served with super pleasant service and a smile. Their coffee? Yeah, that's delicious too. Keep doing what you're doing Artisan, you're doing it right.

    (Banh mi - English alphabet spelling for search purposes. :-D)

  • Review from Neil A.

    • 0 friends
    • 2 reviews

    Salem, OR

    4.0 star rating
    3/14/2012 1 Check-in Here

    Found on Yelp, no wait, great hosts. Really relaxing environment, small and intimate with quick service. Sandwiches are great. The salad we got was...could have been a little better. But the sandwiches were very good. The coffee was very good. Definitely worth a visit for a chill but satisfying lunch or breakfast.

  • Review from Tonya N.

    Redmond, WA

    5.0 star rating
    Updated - 11/21/2011 5 photos 18 Check-ins Here

    I have to make an update for my review, the baguettes are my new favorite and will blow your mind.  The bread is perfectly toasted, doesnt cut into your mouth and very fluffy inside, the meat is actuallly warm! Saigon deli was always what I considered to be the best in seattle however not anymore.  The meat is extremely juicy and so flavorful.  $4.75 is a steal for a gourmet sandwich... well done.

    I also love their breakfast sandwiches, when I want to indulge I get the everything croissant, the mighty muffin is just as good but I assume saving a few a calories.  The ingredients are super fresh, they are very generous with the toppings.  Thickest and fluffiest egg patty you'll ever see and it comes out piping hot, so good!!!  I cant think of a place with better breakfast sandwiches.

    Was this review …?

    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 5.0 star rating
      6/5/2011

      OMG the Rueben Sandwich here is SO good.  Very thick and tender pieces of Pastrami. I have never had… Read more »

  • Review from KDubs W.

    • 4 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    1/20/2012

    I walk through Belltown for work most days and I have tried many of the coffee shops on my route. Artisan Cafe is hands down my favorite shop! I am a basic mocha drinker, and theirs is my favorite. They offer a fairly extensive breakfast menu that reaches far beyond plain pastries and muffins. I really enjoyed their Mighty Muffin breakfast sandwich. They offer toasted bagels, and they actually cream cheesify the bagel for you! Who does that these days! What a nice change that is from a plastic knife and "cheesify your own bagel" mentality. The owners are a super cute young couple and they are so nice. Every morning I stop there is a pleasant and cheery experience, which starts my day off on the right foot!

  • Review from Joseph A.

    • 2 friends
    • 1 review

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    2/21/2012

    I was in desperate need of food one Monday morning and stopped in here. One of the best decisions ever. I had the mighty muffin and my girlfriend had a bagel, we both decided this was was some of the best breakfast food we'd ever had.

  • Review from Kate S.

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    8/19/2011 ROTD 10/12/2011

    Im kicking myself for not coming here sooner, because moments after bringing my sandwich home I was messaging a friend the following:
    "OMG! My face is full of happiness right now..
    aka bacon and gorgonzola on a sandwich!"

    I work from home and only get 30 min for my lunch break. Im starving cuz I skipped out on breakfast. My kitchen sink is broken so I don't want to cook and have dishes pile up, plus I had next to nothing to cook anyway. The nearby pizza place wont allow carryout for orders under $20, and everything else plausible would have just been junk food groddiness.

    Then I remember I am right by the Artisan Cafe -- and a sandwich should be quick and portable.

    I run across the street to a place that is small, bright and clean. Free wifi, tons of outlets, and a computer hooked up to a big ol'flatscreen LCD. One of the owners gives me a menu and it takes me all of 3 seconds to decide that I want the BGT -- the bacon, gorgonzola and tomato sandwich. How could I resist?

    I sit and wait, the owners make idle chit chat but being truly interested. They apologize for the time frame the sandwich takes (but so worth it cuz EVERY bit of it gets toasted!), and then they pack it up all pretty and send me on my way.

    The sandwich? Well it is amazing. Im planning on going back to try their grilled cheese and their caprese soon. And maybe a coffee... and maybe a frozen yogurt...or maybe a breakfast sandwich right now....

  • Review from TW B.

    • 28 friends
    • 12 reviews

    Kirkland, WA

    4.0 star rating
    9/27/2011

    I *think* the bahn mi sandwhiches they have on the menu are a new item. I had a pork sammich and wife had the Bacon, Gorgonzola, & tomato sammich.

    The first bite of the pork bahn mi was a touch dry, but there was more aioli in the middle, so I didn't mind. The pork itself was sweet and nicely cooked, and I appreciated seemed to be lightly pickled onions on top. If I could have anything different, it'd be the option of a squirt of sriracha on top. I'm not a skinflint, but I was pleased by the $4.75 price for mine.

    Wife's sammich was grilled nicely, and was very tasty.  I'm very glad that wife found this place, and I can easily see it being my default lunch place. Looking forward to the soups that are coming soon.

  • Review from Val B.

    • 15 friends
    • 71 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    8/9/2011

    Browsed Yelp for a good lunch place and found this.
    Such an awesome spot to get lunch! I had a tuna sandwich which was amaaaazing. The cheese was first melted and then the sandwich was pressed so the bread was nice and crunchy. The tuna was delicious, nice big chunks and the tomato fresh and sweet.
    Just thinking about it makes me want to go back and get one right now.
    My boyfriend had the pastrami sandwich and he liked his as well.

    When we were waiting for the sandwiches we saw the frozen yogurt machines sitting behind the counter and the girl that tended to us said they start serving frozen yogurt Wednesday (aug 10th). I heard flavors like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, peanut butter and maybe peach but I'm not sure about the last one.
    You bet we'll be there Wednesday to try some!!

  • Review from Jeff M.

    • 0 friends
    • 5 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    3/23/2012

    I've walked passed this place a bunch of times and finally stopped in lately...twice! Sandwiches I had were great! Ham and cheese us pretty basic, but the grilled bread was great. Soup could be a little better. A little hotter too. But not bad. Staff are real nice and it's a cozy place. I will be back for lunch often.

  • Review from Bobby H.

    • 2 friends
    • 26 reviews

    Katy, TX

    4.0 star rating
    8/9/2011

    Got the Reuben for lunch. The bread was toasted perfectly, and they didn't skimp on any of the meat or sauerkraut. Also, the amount of dressing was just right--not too much where the sauce overflows and makes the sandwich soggy and not too little where the sandwich ends up being dry.

    Also, I normally don't comment on service, but I have to here. The two ladies who were working there were very kind and welcoming. There are quite a few sandwiches on the menu, so they took a little time to briefly go through the menu. When other people came in after I did, they did the same thing. Pretty cool.

  • Review from Rich L.

    • 0 friends
    • 3 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    2/1/2012 11 photos

    Had the BLT on rye with swiss cheese- it was excellent, with a flavor that was pretty intense. The rye was perfect, not too hard or too soft and held the sandwich together through the last bite. The bacon was real, and thick enough to taste, which can be hard to find sometimes. The prices are very reasonable, and the staff was friendly and pleasant. It doesn't really get any better than this!

  • Review from Elizabethe A.

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    6/26/2011 4 Check-ins Here

    This is my new favorite spot in Belltown. Well more like my first favorite spot, my first love, since I just moved to Seattle a few weeks ago. What's so great about it? Well why don't we start with the non-food aspects and end with the food.

    First of all, wonderful and extra friendly service. It takes awhile for you to get your food, yes, even when there are only a few people in the shop. However I like to attribute that to the "made-to-order" nature of the restaurant. Anyway, every person there is extra nice and accommodating. Kind of just makes me smile thinking about them.

    Secondly, they have wifi and sufficient outlets around the cafe. Also a big screen tv hooked up to a computer that I'm not sure what it's for, but it seems cool anyway. It just adds to the overall hip internet cafe image.

    Now we come to the food, oh dear god the food. BGT. Bacon, GORGONZOLA, tomato. I always kind of the thought the lettuce was a copout anyway, adding nothing to the whole BLT ensemble, just lying there limply as it wilts under the freshly fried bacon. So an upgrade from lettuce to one of my favorite things...enter blue cheese.....is an enormous improvement, and perhaps the best improvement ever conceived. Not to mention that they add some lightly caramelized onions (I say lightly because they are still crispy al dente, but sauteed just long enough to bring out some extra sweetness) which is a perfect compliment to the bite of blue cheese. Overall this sandwich was awesome and I would come here over and over again for it.

    On to breakfast! I had the Everything Croissant which has scrambled eggs, ham, tomato, onions, a seasoned croissant and chipotle aioli! Chipotle aioli is my ambrosia. It makes everything taste better. The scrambled eggs were fresh off the griddle, the ham was nicely lined in a fatty and flavorful crust, the veggies were fresh and crisp, and it was the perfect way to start the day.

  • Review from Michael L.

    • 12 friends
    • 14 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    6/10/2011

    I came here after exploring around Seattle Center a little. It's walking distance, right under the monorail, and I would highly suggest stopping in for a quick bite or some drinks to take on a walk.

    I talked with the owners, and apparently the cafe is under new management as of May. It sounds like they have great plans for the future, including home-made frozen yogurt and new sandwiches. I'm looking forward to visiting again!

  • Review from Brien H.

    • 72 friends
    • 91 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    9/15/2011

    I wasn't expecting a sandwich that had so much flavor!  I got the Seattle Club, and although the sandwichmaker forgot to add the bacon (which ended up as a side as a result), the aioli that Artisan Cafe uses made the sandwich memorably delicious.  Adding the forgotten bacon myself wasn't a big deal, but it would have been nice for them to do it for me and keep my hands grease-free.

    The double espresso + a shot of toffee syrup was perfectly pulled to elude the metallic pucker, and just the right amount of syrup to complement the coffee flavor rather than overpower it.

    They get a -1 star 1) because of the forgotten bacon 2) because the coffee, though it was for in-house consumption, was served in a generic paper cup and 3) because the muffins were obviously Costco brand.  The combined effect was that it was clear that Artisan Cafe needs to reinforce ownership of their brand.  Buy fresh pastries locally or bake them in-house, use ceramic or compostable drinkware for in-house beverages, don't forget the bacon (how do you forget the BACON?!),  and pimp the shit out of that aioli, and you have a 5 star recommendation for Artisan Cafe.

  • Review from Stephanie C.

    Lynnwood, WA

    5.0 star rating
    6/12/2011 6 Check-ins Here

    I was here like 90 minutes ago and still taste the awesomeness of the Sicilian Spice sandwich in my mouth. We got it on marbled rye and topped it off with some bacon (very recommended!) and I'm not sure how you can go wrong with a handful of pepperoncinis! I love, love, love it! The aioli was also spot on. The caramelized RED onions were good, but I'm not an onion fan... so the boy got extra onions in his. I've never had red onions caramelized before, so it was a pleasant change. We also got a double iced vanilla latte and it was perfect. I've had my fair share of coffee to judge ;).

    I love the interior of the cafe, it's clean and well-kept. I know some cafe's can get dingy and dirty... but there is a lot of class in this cafe.

    There was a good flow of customers in and out while we were there. I highly recommend this place if you happen to be in the area... it's a stones throw from the Seattle Center.

    I can't wait to try their froyo when it comes in!

  • Review from Barn e.

    • 10 friends
    • 51 reviews

    Santa Monica, CA

    5.0 star rating
    11/5/2011

    When the lady and I (who is Vietnamese) tried Artisan for the first time, we were blown away by their Vietnamese sandwiches. We were a little hesitant at first, mainly because the price of the sandwich was double of what it costs at the international district but it was well worth the price. Growing up in California and being near the Vietnamese community there, I've had my share of these types of sandwiches. I must eaten  at 10 different Vietnamese sandwich shops.  I also spent some time in Philadelphia and tried the Vietnamese sandwiches (they call them Vietnamese hoagies) over there. To sum things up, Artisan Viet  Sandwiches is at the top of my list; If it came down to my last meal, this sandwich along with fried chicken will send me to heaven smiling. The price is what it is, you're paying for quality food and it wont give you the runs like some of the places I've tried.  You ever notice how the bakeries in the International District are dirty as hell? That alone justifies coming here.

    Also, costumer service and their coffees are top notch! Thank you Artisan.

  • Review from ChefRD M.

    • 0 friends
    • 45 reviews

    Issaquah, WA

    3.0 star rating
    1/9/2012

    Seating is limited and looked like they are dealing with some water damage.  Food was great although service was a bit slow.   We would definitely go back...their sandwiches are tasty and original!

  • Review from NicknSelena S.

    • 0 friends
    • 7 reviews

    Minden, NV

    4.0 star rating
    12/1/2011

    Very flavorful sandwiches, and would have rated 5 if they hadn't been out of so many things on the menu.

  • Review from Diana C.

    Bellevue, WA

    4.0 star rating
    4/7/2011 5 Check-ins Here

    Staff is very friendly and welcoming albeit slightly strange (quirky).  They make their food with organically grown food and my gosh it's good!  I ordered something not really on the menu that he said he could make and suggested... Turkey? and Bacon with cheddar on toasted croissant with lettuce, cucumber, and avocado! OMG... so yummy.  They sold me on a bowl of soup and it was huge for only $2! It was hot and delicious - some sort of chicken chili without the beans.  OMG.... YUM!  Can't wait to go again!

    My coworker got the Reuben, and it looked and smelled really really really delicious!  I don't even like Reubens..... mmm.... seems like a new favorite spot for lunch!

  • Review from Georgie M.

    • 7 friends
    • 26 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    3/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here

    The cafe is located on the corner of 5th Avenue and Vine Street. I walked into this place on a typical Seattle day with rain pouring outside and was really impressed by the people, the food and the service. The place is like the quintessential corner of the street, mom and pop coffee shop which has in not trying to be too elaborate has been able to retain its charm. The place has seating for around 20+ people, though as it is mostly stop by order and go traffic at the place finding a place to sit is not a problem at all.

    The place is manned by a couple of baristas and what made my visit really enjoyable was the service and the in general welcoming attitude. The barista on duty was very proactive and managed to strike an engaging conversation with me, made credible recommendations and also came with a totally off the menu breakfast sandwich for me with everything on it. The wet capp that I ordered turned to be delicious having bold coffee, milk and froth in perfect proportion. The sandwich also got high marks from me as it combined ham, bacon, egg and onions really well.

    The cafe had a very homely feel to it with the customers interacting in a relaxed fashion with the staff. There is also a big screen on which the customers are welcome to twiddle around with the playlist.

    In the end I definitely agree with earlier reviews that Artisan Cafe is definitely a hidden gem.

  • Review from Rebecca S.

    Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    10/28/2010 2 photos 1 Check-in Here

    Artisan Café is a hidden gem!

    I went here for lunch last week, and I was pleasantly surprised by how big and delicious my sandwich was. I had always passed by Artisan and never gave it much thought because from the outside, it looks small and empty. Once you get passed that and go inside, however, it's a cute café with tables, Beethoven and friendly women taking orders and making sandwiches.

    I ordered the chicken salad sandwich which came with a side of Tim's chips. The chicken salad sandwich was served on slightly toasted bread, and filled with cranberries and big bites of chicken. So, so tasty. And for a sandwich + chips (or salad if you choose to be healthy), it's about $8.

  • Review from Olivia H.

    • 9 friends
    • 1 review

    Kirkland, WA

    5.0 star rating
    9/15/2011 1 Check-in Here

    This place is the best small cafe in Seattle. Not only is the service very friendly, but everything I've eaten here is exceptional. Their BGT (Bacon, gorgonzola, and tomato) is DELICIOUS. They have this amazing aioli that they put on this sandwich and it is just so good. They also recently got frozen yogurt... Their flavors change every so often and are all very high quality, creamy, and tasty. My favorite has been the cookies and cream yogurt with oreos on top. Also, if you have a chance to come in earlier for breakfast, order their Everything Crossiant. AMAZING.

  • Review from Sarah P.

    • 7 friends
    • 4 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    4/11/2011

    I went to the city foods to get a sandwich, but they closed that part at 4:00 the gentleman told me to go here (right across the street) because they had "awesome sandwiches. He told no lie.

    I ordered the BGT, but really that just gave the dude a starting point and he constructed a sandwich so amazing that I am having trouble not eating the other half despite my full stomach.  It changed my life.

    Go there! Go there! Go there!

  • Review from Sommer G.

    • 0 friends
    • 1 review

    Massillon, OH

    5.0 star rating
    7/3/2011

    Great tuna melt. Best I have had. My family loved the other sandwiches as well.

  • Review from Ryan R.

    • 6 friends
    • 10 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    7/7/2011

    Really, really tasty! I work right around the corner and I'm pretty excited about having discovered this place. They make a delicious Reuben.

  • Review from Lisa R.

    • 22 friends
    • 56 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    9/10/2009 1 Check-in Here

    I've been debating on whether or not to try Aristan Cafe since I moved to Belltown 4 months ago. I've been avoiding it and going to the larger coffee shops, but I had a change of heart today.

    So I walk in and there's only one person working, and she's creating this massive sandwich for some other customer, so I have to wait a good 4 minutes or so before I get waited on. I don't mind, I don't have anywhere to be anyway. But if I were in a hurry, I would have skipped out.

    So I order my usual, a non-fat white mocha, and this time I opted for the single shot. The drink was just okay, nothing to really write home to Mom and Dad about. It did the job, though. It was tasty, not too sweet, and gave me a slight bump in energy. However, it was a little more expensive for this single shot than if I got a double shot of the exact same thing a few blocks away at Uptown Espresso.

    So the price was a bit high and the drink was somewhat mediocre, but the woman behind the counter was extremely friendly and looked like she put her all into this shop. It's stuff like that that really matters to me. I love to support small businesses, so this place suits me just fine in that regard.

    They seemed to have a pretty impressive food menu, so I'll check that out sometime in the near future. Other than that, all I can speak on is their coffee, and like I said, it was just OK. I'd be tempted to run around the corner to Uptown Espresso over Artisan for my coffee fix, but to be such a small shop, they have a huge menu that I want to give a shot.

    Their breakfast sandwiches sounded awesome, so I'll check those out sometime and see if it increases my rating at all.

    ---

    Edit: Okay! So I decided to go check out their breakfast selection today, and I must say that I'm rather pleased! I tried the egg, ham & cheese croissant sandwich, and after tip, it was about $5.50. Totally delicious. Remember how earlier in the review where I mentioned the length of time it took to order a drink because the barista was making a sandwich? Well, I totally cosign them taking all the time they need on their sandwiches because whatever they do, they make something so incredibly delicious. For this place to be so small, their food pack flavor that rivals much larger cafes. The croissant was so fluffy, the eggs were great and covered in amazing seasonings, and you can't go wrong with ham and cheese.

    And once more, a round of applause for the politeness of the employees here. I've experienced two different employees, and both were just so incredibly nice.

    I'd say here's the perfect scenario of a time when you need to visit Artisan Cafe:

    It's a grey Monday morning and perhaps you're in a funk and could use a bright, bubbly person to cheer you up. Oh, and what's that? You haven't eaten or had your coffee fix yet? Then stroll right into Artisan Cafe, grab some drip coffee and order one of their awesome breakfast sandwiches. Don't get it to go - stay in their little cafe and enjoy watching Belltown slowly come to life.

    So. Yeah. I'm definitely a fan now.

  • Review from Chris S.

    • 3 friends
    • 8 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    6/5/2011 12 Check-ins Here

    Oh Reuben sandwich come to daddy! I recently found this place while walking around Belltown and I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised. The service was very friendly, from getting greeted as you come in to having the owner check up on you to make sure you were ok, it felt like a place I could come back to for my dose of comfort sandwiches.

    Following the owner's advice I picked the reuben and I am really glad I did, the pastrami was thicker than normal and it had enough flavor to knock your socks off! The saurkraut was a fresh and tangy complement to the richness of the pastrami which made this a well balanced sandwich. I also ordered a mango lemonade which I must confess I've never had before, it was extremely refreshing. All this for around $10?  Artisan Cafe, you can count me as new fan!

  • Review from Joanna F.

    Somerville, MA

    5.0 star rating
    6/21/2010

    I love The Artisan Cafe.  During my recent trip to Seattle, my boyfriend and I stopped in two mornings in a row.  The first morning I ordered the bagel and lox and an "iced coffee".  I asked if they had iced coffee and they said "of course" and the proceeded to ask me exactly what I meant.  I ended up getting and iced americano.  They do not have traditional New England drip iced coffee.  I was skeptical, but the iced americano was SPECTACULAR.  I think it was better than most iced coffee I've had.

    The bagel and lox was different than what the menu stated.  The menu made no mention of the delicious spices and capers added to the lettuce, tomato, lox and cream cheese.  If I didn't like capers or spices, I may have been mildly annoyed.  But this combo was amazing.  My boyfriend also raved about his ham egg and cheese wrap.  

    We liked our meals the first day so much that we came back the next day and got the exact same order.  Service was always cheerful.  There was only one woman working both times, and she was awesome.

    This will be one of my first stops when I come back to Seattle.

  • Review from Ashley T.

    • 33 friends
    • 43 reviews

    Redlands, CA

    5.0 star rating
    3/3/2011 1 Check-in Here

    The lox bagel with cream cheese was delicious! And so was the cafe con breve. The Vietnamese wonan who made it said she made it with love and care, so I taught her the word "carino" :)

  • Review from Ryan K.

    • 0 friends
    • 1 review

    Gainesville, FL

    5.0 star rating
    3/6/2011

    Awesome coffee and breakfast food all around! Really friendly place.

  • Review from Tom A.

    Portland, OR

    5.0 star rating
    6/27/2008

    Mmmm!  I give five stars when I can't imagine how a place could be better at what it's doing.  

    For a little corner lunch (and breakfast) spot, I couldn't ask for more out of Artisan Cafe.  I've stopped in a couple times now while I'm in town and been totally happy with the food as well as the service.

    My current fave is the tuna melt, with a uniquely piquant tuna salad (I don't even want to call it that since the term conjures notions of Miracle Whip and sweet pickles - there's none of that here) served hot on a fresh bolo roll.  Put that in a box with a fresh salad, tossed with a light house-made vinaigrette and I'm good to roll.

    A perfect pairing on a Summer day: the above sandwich with an Izze Sparkling Clementine.  

    Besides the great counter service, the place is truly inviting, with good reads and intriguing art on the walls, I'd love to hang out here.  But there's that whole work thing calling me.   Oh, they have wi-fi here, don't they?  Hmmm, might be my next 'branch office'.

  • Review from J K.

    • 90 friends
    • 1065 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    3.0 star rating
    10/11/2009 2 photos 1 Check-in Here

    Quaint little sandwich deli in Belltown. Good for lunch.

    It's the perfect place when you just wanna have a quality sandwich.

1 to 40 of 50 (13 Filtered) |  
Page: 1 2
Write a Review

Deals Nearby

More »

People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...