Cafe Allegro

Called for take out and before I would even finish my order the guy would say, is that everything as in rushing me off the phone, just kinda rude and snarky. We ordered three Calzone, two Italia‘s and one Veggie We got home and all three were the same, I also got an appetizer. You would think for 50 bucks worth of food they would have gotten it right. Figaro‘s has way better Calzone.

Pretty much your average Seattle coffee shop. The drip coffee is good, but not mind-​blowing; the lattes are pretty much the same as lattes from 90% of coffee shops with competent baristas.
The avant-​garde atmosphere of a storefront tucked away in an alley, wooden tables, and vintage decorations is sure to please most hipsters, but isn’t so stupidly pretentious that you need a flannel shirt to set foot inside.
The service could use some improvement — I ordered a flavored latte and they put the wrong flavor in it so I asked them to remake it. They did, but were pretty grumpy about it. If I pay nearly $ 5 for a drink, being willing to give me what I asked for shouldn’t be an issue.

My friend and I had read about Café Allegro and decided it would be worth finding. First, we got lost and had to consult Google Maps, but eventually found the alley where the café is located. The venue was on the smaller side and it was really busy. We wanted to order our drinks for there but ended up having to get them to go because there was no place to sit, even in the additional seating upstairs. They just have a basic coffee and tea menu, which is why I only give this place 4 stars. The staff was friendly and the drinks came fast. The café itself has a really cool vibe perfect for the college-​centric U-​District. My white mocha was very good; not too sweet. They also seemed to have a pretty good breakfast and lunch menu for a little coffee shop, but I didn’t get anything to eat. Overall, it’s a cute shop and I will definitely go back if I want a good cup of coffee (for a pretty decent price; I think my white mocha was less than that of Starbucks). Also they have a 50% off pastries starting at 9pm deal in case you get a late night craving for some coffee shop pastries.

I was told that Café Allegro was the pioneer of coffee before Starbucks in Seattle so I dragged a friend over today to try out their coffee.
Right off the bat, we got lost because the location of the café is in a back alley where most people would avoid unless in broad day light.
Right when you walk in it gives off a vibe of a very homey hangout spot but it was a bit on the small side (in positive terms I’ll call it cozy). College students and the working class alike all gathered at the tables to enjoy a cup of coffee that might be accompanied with a breakfast sandwich or not.
I tried their mezzo mezzo because apparently it is one of their signature drinks while my friend tried their white mocha. My friend said she had a wonderful experience while I had a literal bitter one. I am still a beginner coffee drinker so I am not able to drink black coffee with just milk.
The service was good because they greet you well and serve you quickly.
I will probably give this place a second shot before I give my final verdict of whether I liked it or not since I chose a drink that my taste buds are not accustomed to.

Best gluten free coffee and tea in Seattle. Love the upstairs seating area. I also love their banana bread, but this is not gluten free as far as I can tell. Definitely recommend this place!

I used to come here all the time when I lived in U-​district. Allegro is really a hidden gem. It is in an alley, and looks like it may be questionable upon approach (right across from a needle exchange) but don’t be deterred. The place is awesome and the coffee delicious. Ample space and outlets for studying, or a cozy spot to meet up with someone.
Allegro sports a quirky ambience. Personally, I love all their décor and table set-​up. Service is friendly, coffee is delicious. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, their Mexican mochas are to die for.
Also, I used to volunteer at the shelter across the alley from them, and at least when I volunteered Café Allegro would donate all their day-​old pastries to the shelter. Don’t know if they still do, but that was pretty wonderful of them and well appreciated!
The only issue is that the café gets crowded and it can be difficult to find a seat and times, but hey this is U-​district. Parking is also a challenge; if you’re in a bind you can always go park in the University Bookstore lot and go buy a notebook or something to get free parking.

One of the best chai tea lattes I’ve had, served by super friendly baristas! Love the location and vibe. Good for studying, catching up with friends, or people watching.

I came here to study with my friend after walking past this place several times and always wanting to come here. This place is kind of hinden away in the alley but when you enter in the space feels open and inviting. There were a lot of seats available because we came on a rainy Saturday morning and we ordered our drinks (Chai tea lattes) quickly and received them quickly. Really I would give this place 3.5 stars.
Service: ⁵⁄₅ fast but you have to get it yourself. The people are friendly :)
Quality: ⁴⁄₅ other my friend and I ordered Chai tea lattes and they were pretty good and came in glass mugs.
Variety: ³⁄₅ they had a very typical menu of cold and hit drinks. Some fresh juice which is cool but nothing that really stood out. Their pastry case with bagels and some pastries and donuts was also kind of minimalistic.
Ambiance:3/5 kind of awkward table set up, normal brick walls and intense movie music (lord of the rings?) playing in the background.

It’s apparently Seattle’s oldest coffee shop and it has all of the elements to not question that title at all! It is out of the way, down an alley and you kind of need to be watching for it in order not to miss it.
I make at least one monthly trip to the U District to get my Scarecrow Video fix and to check out shops and restaurants that I have bookmarked. I hit Café Allegro a month or two ago and was glad I did! Their pastry items all look very homemade and wonderful and the hot drinks have that extra attention needed to make sure you are in a good indie coffee shop.
I had one of their sugar cookies and a mighty fine iced coffee brew which hit the spot on that hot summer day I came into this place.
A great coffee shop… but of course it is Seattle… lots of good coffee shops everywhere!

I first visited Café Allegro in 1980. The fact that it’s still here after all this time speaks volumes for its brilliance and appeal. A high school friend told me about it. The sign at the time was all about the decaf (why?). Another friend who wore a pony tail and shook his head and the pony tail at the sign, muttering, «Decaf, hmmm… sounds like something they do to cows!» Another sign posted way up high above the barista was all about waiting for coffee in the afterlife…
The ambiance of Café Allegro is what drew me in initially, and the (strong) coffee and people kept me coming back. Back in the day, the view out the window across the alley was the campus of the University of Washington. I have many fond memories of being in this café: writing, great friends, dreaming «out loud» to my journal… I remember fondly the smells and sounds of this place, and sitting in the alley drinking coffee, along with wonderful people and friends — even in the rain. Back in the day, the barista always wore a beret and made even the slow days seem happy. I’m pleased to see you can buy the coffee beans on their website. What a treat!
Café Allegro is like a coffeehouse out of a dream, or a storybook — only it really happened to me and I’m so grateful to the people: the staff, the customers who unwittingly contributed to the unfolding story, the exposed bricks even… etc…

I met a colleague for coffee here the other day — she suggested it, and subsequently sent me detailed instructions on how to find the «secret» alleyway entrance to this hidden establishment. When I found it, it was crowded, hot, and the pastry I ordered was mediocre. When I worked up the nerve to use the single stall restroom, I had to essentially join another table temporarily, since the adjoining chairs were directly in front of the bathroom door. But gosh I felt hip.

Food: The coffee was okay; pastries mediocre; prices average. I don’t recommend the breakfast wraps trough– they’re froEn and microwaved!
Environment: Free wifi and power outlets available. Conversations echo rather loudly in the brick main room, even though it wasn’t really crowded. There is a back room with some nice seats, but the air was too stuffy to chill in. There’s also an upstairs seating area, which was not opened yet.
Overall, not tasty or comfy enough to become a habit. will keep searching!

Took me a while to find this place, but once I got here, I immediately felt at home. It feels more spacious since there are a couple of seating areas. I sat near the front door by the counter. I just got hot latte and it was very delicious and came in a glass mug. Thought that was stylish. They have day old pastries on sale so that was a blessing for poor college students. The atmosphere of the café is very friendly and I loved it.

Love the location in an alley. Despite the address, not located directly on University Way NE; rather, it is directly BEHIND 4214 University Way NE, accessible by walking around to the alley.
COFFEE: 2.5. Had dark drip. Served in a glass mug. Insipid, but bearable. $ 1.90 for 12 oz.
AMBIANCE: 3.5. Old brick building. Two rooms on ground floor. One is located through a narrow hallway at end of counter. Apparently there is a room and balcony on a second floor, though I didn’t see the access.
I sat next to the large window and had a view of a young man sleeping next to the building across the alley, covered by a sleeping bag.
In addition to coffee: pastry, breakfast, beer, and wine are available. Pastry appeared typical: heavy and sugary.

I’m interning at the UW and have been trying to find a good coffee shop to hang out after work to get some writing and reading done. Up until my visit to Café Allegro I was disappointed with my options.
Allegro offers a nice quiet place to hang out, drink a good cup of tea, and get some quality R&R in. Tucked away in an alley off of the Ave it may be hard to find but that adds to its charm. Allegro has a great selection of loose leaf teas and coffee. The place offers great seating although lacks some comfortable armchairs.
The only downside was that the bathroom was left a mess for most of my few hours there.

Must try mexican hot chocolate and their mexican mocha :)
It’s always busy but still space for studying or catching up with a friend. Place is in an alley so can be hard to find but helps with crowd control. Free wifi great food and more mexican style drinks definitely earns it five stars!

I visited the awesome UW campus and went out of my way to look for this place since it was mentioned as one of Seattle’s most oldest coffee shops.
I am not sure if it is a Seattle thing but being from Phoenix, I was a bit sketched out by the fact that I had to go through a back alley before entering this shop. It was well worth after all. I guess sometimes you do have to put up with things before discovering the hidden gem.
I love the green vines covering the brick building, the wooden signs, the benches by the big windows and the string lights upstairs. They also made one of the best iced mocha I’ve ever tasted. It was bold yet creamy, icy and chocolaty. Perfect! The overcast weather made it so nice to just sit there, enjoying your coffee while feeling the warmth from the natural soft lighting coming through the windows.
The price was very decent, too compare to other so-​called «well-​known» coffee shops. Perfect place to write a report, chill with friends, listen to music, read a book, or whatever relaxing thing you enjoy doing. Will definitely come back with more friends next time I visit Seattle again :)

Tucked away in an alley, this unassuming little café is just your typical, crowded, college café. They do chais spicy or sweet, lattes, juices, baked goods. $.25 surcharge for orders on cards less than $ 5. Average. But just fine.

SO disappointed in my last visit to Allegro. I used to go here a lot and have always loved it — great drinks, great atmosphere. This last time, I ordered a latte to-​go. I didn’t try it until I was out the door and oh my god. It was foul. The milk was completely scalded and burnt my mouth so badly. I literally had to let it dribble out onto the ground because it was disgusting and also on fire. Also, when the guy steamed the milk it was way too foamy — like wet cappuccino style — and he just glomped the foam on top like a stupid hat. That’s not a latte.
Super disappointed. Hopefully my next visit will be better.

Café Allegro: I have often heard of it but I have been too busy to really spend any time there. Today, however, I found myself in Allegro’s «alley» and decided that an Americano was needed.
I was not disappointed.
Although they added a bit more water than I would like, It was still good and very enjoyable. It still had the bitter I desire and it was a nice earthy cup. I f I were to go again (which I will do), I will shoot for the 12oz. Americao instead of the 16oz. to see if there is strength difference.
All and all it was a good place, and the environment – which I did not experience directly, as I was on the run to the library – seemed pretty chill.