Kuma Coffee

Their cold press is the bomb, and so is their dirty chai teas :) Love this place.

Kuma Coffee is probably the best roasted coffee in Seattle. Perfectly roasted coffee only goes so far though. The brew is also perfect. This place is no frills — it isn’t a place to sit and ruminate; it is a place to grab a fantastic cup of perfectly brewed french press from the best beans in Seattle. The roaster/​owner of Kuma Coffee originally owned this place, then sold it in early 2012. The new owner kept the name for awhile, but a few months ago changed the name to Isis. Same great coffee, same great brew.

I previously reviewed this place when it was Kuma and under different ownership. I don’t know who owns it now but it’s gone down hill. The name has changed (it’s now called Isis) and the staff is okay-​to-​subpar. Not nearly as friendly and warm as James (pictured in one of the uploaded photos) and definitely not as skilled. I feel bad about the low rating but the espresso now is undrinkable. I’ve given them several chances since they changed hands and the espresso quality is unpredictable at best. The thing is, their still using Kuma beans. That along with a top-​notch machine, how could you go wrong? Well, they manage to do it — A LOT. So disappointing. If you’re the old owner and you’re reading this, please come back!

New ownership? The sign outside says «Isis Coffee» yet there is NO listing for it. We stopped by last week when there was a massive storm sweeping through. My husband works down the street and my 5 year old was in desperate need of a hot cocoa. After order two mid-​sized «coffee of the day» specials and a children’s hot cocoa (of course) I signed off on my card and went to wait while our coffee was poured. Upon leaving I realized I was overcharged $ 1.00. When I went to add some milk to our drip coffees, there was one container, it was a bit warm and it had a top that didn’t quite want to give anything out of it. My coffee was much too hot to drink the entire time I was there. My son’s hot cocoa was filled to the brim making it difficult for me to even carry it over to put a lid on it for him. It tasted fine. While my son was drinking up his beverage, another costumer came in and they were chat, chat, chatting about a new location for her to move, etc. They offered to put the lid on her coffee for her, get a her towel when she spilled a little, etc. Zero of that service was offered as I tried to wrangle three drinks without a carrier and a kid out their heavy front door out into the pouring rain. Not even a goodbye. The worst part? When my drink was finally cool enough, it was so horrible I could not even drink ANY OF IT. It literally tasted like week old burnt, sour coffee. I have never met a coffee I didn’t like in my 20 years as a coffee drinker in the Seattle area. Well, this was it. It was so bad, my husband SMELLED it and refused to even try it. I had that burnt, nasty taste in my mouth until I could find a piece of gum. YUCK. Will never be visiting again.

I came across this coffee house when I was in search of a place to set my computer down and surf the web. When I had asked the guy about it he said no, they didn’t have any. So seeing as I was there I ordered a small coffee and he served it quickly. I gave him a tip and then he told me the wifi signal and password. I thought that was a bit odd, seeing as he said they didn’t have any. I sat down and had my coffee and searched for the wifi signal but didn’t find it. I found a newspaper and sat on their little front porch and read while I finished my cup.
I don’t know if I’d go back. I mean, the service was a bit stiff but it was pretty early in the morning. I won’t put it past him if he was having an off morning. I was extremely happy to support a local business but after I left I found a Starbucks and ordered some snacks and a juice, then sat down and surfed the interwebs.

Kuma Coffee is absolutely, 100% legit.
This is clearly a place that takes pride in what it does. From what I understand, they roast and sell their beans around town, and the café storefront reflects this tight quality control. The coffee is among the best I’ve ever had: the beans are clearly extremely fresh, but it tastes like they use filtered water at the perfect temperature. This is what coffee is supposed to taste like. No burned bitterness, just complex flavor. A straight espresso shot from Kuma is extremely easy to drink; not harsh at all, just nutty, citrusy, and spicy. The roast pork panini was very good as well. Prices are extremely reasonable. North Seattle has a serious treasure.

I miss living around the corner from this place. Excellent small-​batch roaster with great baristas. Great coffee and espresso.

Staff is nice, and sandwiches are good. I work across the street, so I tend to come here for coffee in the morning. Definitely like the small business vibe.

This place has thoroughly excellent coffee; it’s in the top three on my list of coffees in Seattle. Unfortunately they’re only open until the early afternoon, so it’s not really a place to stay and linger (also due to the fact that it’s tiny and only has a few stools to sit on). However, as a place to drop in to for coffee on the way to work in the morning, this is pretty much perfect.

My drink of choice: Grande Americano with room, please!
This place is a block away from where I work, so my co-​workers and I often like to visit James at least one time a day!
I would definitely invest in the Kuma punch card that cost $ 20 up front and it gets you 11 cups of coffee. Also, the sausage breakfast sandwich is a great compliment to your cup of joe!
Tip: Kuma closes at 3:00p (I know, right?!), so be sure to get your coffee fix before that!

Great local haunt, never disappoints. An 8 oz Americano in a 12 oz cup («walking room») is my preference; my girlfriend raves about their lattes. No matter which way you go, you’re gonna go home happy.
Every time I am in the mood to treat myself I go for Kuma. Their fresh, rich, perfectly executed espresso is reason for returning. That crema! That color! People make a place, in my opinion and the kind folks who work in this quiet spot are always up for good conversation. A few times I’ve seen the owner hanging about the shop and around Christmas I bought a pound of whole beans for home-​brewing, which he roasted himself earlier that week. I love seeing people living their dream (s), and I fully support the dream of conscientious sourcing, small-​batch roasting, and a hands-​on approach to small business leadership. It is without a doubt the best coffee this side of the 99.

The place is small, cozy and definitely doesn’t provide enough seats. The staff is nice and everything is affordable. I heard the coffee is great, too!
However, my low rating of 3 stars results from my personal bad experience. I love drinks but hate coffee so naturally, I ordered a classic non-​coffee coffee shop drink, hot cocoa. I was sadly disappointed as my drink was extremely watery and hardly tasted like chocolate or cocoa powder! I even added a few sprinkles of cocoa powder from the counter section but that didn’t really help either.
So for all non-​coffee drinkers, don’t go here for hot cocoa.

Great coffee shop… though it’s definitely more for to-​go due to its small but cozy space. It’s easy to miss, especially if you’re driving on the other side of the street. Look for the big bear-​face sandwich board out front.
The barista there was really nice. I’m sorry I’ve forgotten your name. This is why I need to write the reviews sooner after a visit.
Had a chat about coffee, their company, their name and logo. And I had a very very tasty espresso.

A short review for a small place.
Kuma is a Seattle microroaster which sells their brand in a few stores and has a small outpost along Stone Way in Wallingford. I’d run past this place numerous times, but never stopped in. Until now (or then).
It’s a pretty small shop; there’s standing room for a few people and small stools next to the window. There’s two small stools on a micropatio in the front, although this probably isn’t the most comfortable coffee shop to hang out in.
Fortunately, there always seems to be open spots along this part of Stone Way, so it’s easy to drop in and grab a cup. I had a latte, which was very well done. No complaints. I didn’t partake, but they do have a mix of sandwiches and pastries available in the display case. The fact that their prices already include tax is a nice treat. When the price says $ 3.50, it’s really $ 3.50. So nice to not have more pennies to coat the floor of my car.
Anyways, it’s great coffee in a convenient location with easy parking.

I’m a beverage snob — be it coffee, tea, beer, wine; I’m hard to please. When I say that Kuma’s coffee is fantastic, perhaps the best I’ve had outside rural Latin America, you’ll understand my full meaning!
The coffee is expertly roasted (apparently in small batches) and the attention to roasting detail is obvious in every cup — no unpleasant acidity, over-​roasting or unevenness. My favorite is the Guatemalan, which is full bodied with fruity notes and a deep, rich finish.

There’s this coffee and ice cream joint in La Conner that serves Barb’s Beans that I’ve often lauded as the best coffee I’ve ever had. Welp, I can’t do that anymore. Kuma’s the place.
One of the Wallingford neighborhood blogs (I think) recently had a review of this place that I’ve driven by probably one BILLION times that glowed so much, it almost caused my iPhone to burst into flames. I don’t drink a whole lot of coffee (mainly because I like to keep my caffeine intake low so as not to require a quad-​shot latte just to get up in the morning; not that there’s anything wrong with that!) so I’m not the most reliable palate in Seattle to rely on but, for what I like, this stuff was, as all the hip kids are saying these days, ‘the bee’s knees’.
It was early, maybe 7:30 and I was going in as a woman was leaving. It’s a small place, practically a street-​facing kiosk rather than the Tullybuck’s grab-​your-​MacBook-​and-​put-​on-​your-​turtleneck hang-​out. It’s a grab-​and-​go sort of joint which is kind of sad because, as others have pointed out, the guy is friendly.
Perhaps too friendly for 7:30 in the morning. He asked me very complicated questions that I wasn’t yet mentally (or emotionally) prepared to handle such as: ‘Hey, how’s it going?’ and ‘What can I get for you?’ and ‘What are you up to today?’ Sheesh! Such friendliness! In this day and age? In the City of the Cold Shoulder? C’mon! Get back to the Redwoods, ya talkative hippie!
Seriously, though, the guy was nice, the place was clean (without feeling like a museum), and the coffee was fantastic. I drove away with an Irish Crème Breve the likes of which epics like The Illiad are written. It was so good that I’m thinking about going back this afternoon for another. And then tomorrow for another. And so on and so forth.
I’m willing to risk caffeine intake progression for beans this delicious. Alas, I’m moving soon so it will be a short-​lived romance but, oh, such a romance it shall be.

oh, i am a terrible seattlelite coffee snob. of course i had to try the place that advertises friendliness. When we arrived on a Saturday morning, all only 3 pastries remained (i would be money they are from Essential nearby — but I read it’s Upper Crust??? — definitely a good choice either way) which we guiltily took 2 of, poor boy behind us…
The place was small but well decorated except for the terrible granite (?) tabletop that appeared to be from the 80’s.
The place is extremely small, and got really crowded really fast, and the guy that was working was so very slow, it made me feel nervous for him how long the line was getting and the wait for coffee even more so.
And to top it all off, with what I felt was a scary logo for their coffee, I really didn’t like the coffee.
But good for all the people who rave about this place — good point that tax is included. I like round numbers.

The menu says $ 3 for a latte, and when you pay, you hand the man $ 3. Tax is included in the prices.
Nice.
Nice efficient feel to the place — designed for easy-​in, easy-​out coffee for those heading to other parts on Stone Way and beyond. Friendly service, great coffee.

I finally got here when they are open and I have time.
It’s a cute warm little place on Stoneway.
The coffee is excellent, per me, who had a wonderful laltte. (With a heart on the top in the foam!- nice touch!).
Pastries look divine. The barista is warm, personable and talks to people. He knows his regulars. I shall be back.
Thank you.

I was never here when they opened (October ’08), and never here prior to the completion of the remodel (one learns a lot from listening to other people’s conversations whilst in line). I was here today, however, and was quite satisfied.
Starting with the less than positive, the place visually reminds me of the reception area of a late 80’s law firm — black lacquer, green marble, short pile drab carpet, & glass objects. I’m not sure I completely understand the floor-​plan but it gave me something to mentally redesign while waiting in line. Sans wireless and maybe 5 indoor counter-​only seats — I don’t see myself getting something not to-​go.
My less than positive ends there. Sweets are not the selling point, but at least the glass display case looked stocked with a tasty offering, those items looked fresh, and had I not already been full I probably would have ordered. But the coffee is where I’m happiest. Once I got past the menu-​boards’ «you can’t have a medium or large Americao“‘s listing (you can, no issue, just ignore the weird chalk presentation), I was very pleased at my well brewed, semi-​dark roasted, not burnt, not bitter, not acidic product. Very flavorful, rich, and the shots well pulled. Other reviewers mention that the owner (maybe the very nice guy who served me?) roasts his own beans — I can’t attest to that, but if he does, keep up the good work.
Off the well-​beaten path, I wish this place well and will be back when that good-​coffee urge next hits me and I’m in this area.