South Beach Espresso

I’ll start by saying that when the café is actually open, it’s great. I work on this street on the weekends and it’s been closed the past two weekends. I also work in a café in the city so I get that weekends can be slower. Getting here at 9 on a tue morning and having it still be closed is really disappointing. The front door unabashedly states that it SHOULD be open right now – no sign they’re on vacation or something – and I find it unprofessional to not be open when you say you will be.
When it has been open, it has a very clean atmosphere and a nice brand-​new looking espresso machine (la marzocco I think). So otherwise cute shop

Great latte!!! I love it when the espresso is sweet enough to not need sugar. Friendly barista. Good for take aways, not so much for staying there.

Very nice little coffee shop – Wi fi nice tables and a some nice urban soul on the jukebox

My experience is quite different from all the previous reviewers. Don’t get me wrong, I was very excited to find out that there is a coffee shop in Rainier Beach. I am sad that it didn’t work out.
Pro: serving Caffe Vita coffee!
Con: the unfriendly barista didn’t seem like she know what she was doing. My 12oz vanilla latte tasted like it had 2oz of vanilla.
Conclusion: might come back again if I’m in the neighborhood, it not, I will just stop by the actual Caffe Vita in Seward Park.

I love when you can completely throw your 5 star love behind a local small business because they are heads and shoulders above the chain competition.
South Beach Espresso has consistently made me delicious chai lattes (with Almond milk nonetheless!) as well as proving that their mix of love and science in pulling the most perfect shots of espresso results in some of the finest coffee in Seattle.
Bakery items are from Macrina (hellloooo gorgeous pastries!) and the warm, personal, friendly service is a perfect compliment to the neighborhood feel of this coffee shop. Their free WiFi and tables to work from give you no excuse to need to lower your coffee standards at any of the local chains and I’m so proud to be the current reigning Duchess here, it’s totally my kind of place.
Welcome to the neighborhood, SBE, we’ve needed you!

I was here last weekend, or prior, one afternoon because I was actually excited when I heard about it opening – there has never been a coffeeshop in Rainier Beach…
Located next to the old Café Vignole (RIP), if you’ve managed to go there, you sure as heck can make it here! It’s a neat, modestly designed space with pleasing colors and vibe. A few tables, a couch, bold trim windows and great music (although, I recommend her turning it down if people are inside hanging out)… neat stuff. I forgot the white/​mixed lady’s name but I think she was a manager. Once you chat a bit, she’s a cool person and warms up a bit.
I glanced over the menu and display a bit until I went for a vanilla latte. I believe she mentioned the pastries are from Macrina? One of those bakeries that direction! Anyway, a grande vanilla latte and a day-​old pumpkin scone later, I paid cash and left. I think I noticed the sleek Square POS, but not sure.
And of course, can’t forget asking about chai! She may have mentioned (and I may have noticed on the shelf) they carry Big Train Vanilla/​Spiced. I’m totally checking next time but I’m almost sure she had it.
Check it out!
P. S. I think the posted hours here are 90% consistent/​accurate. She hinted the weekend hours are probably still flexing.

South Beach Espresso please post your hours of operation.
Fresh, newly remodeled interior space. Happy to see this place appear in what has been a less than appealing area. The barista was friendly and my non fat latte was great.

Just tried this coffee shop out today and had a great experience. The place only opened three days ago so they are still tweaking some stuff (signage, art on the walls, etc.), but they have the important things mastered… a good iced latte. The owners clearly went all out on high tech toys: a brand new state of the art espresso machine, automated grinders, motion-​sensor garbage can. They serve café vita espresso which is a premium roast in Seattle (although i’m going to put in an official request that they carry Stumptown ;-)) Very friendly staff and service. Can’t wait to see the shop grow.

I was excited to check this place out after reading some reviews here. Unfortunately, it was disappointing. The milk was not deemed well so it was watery far too hot. The problem within the craftsmanship though so there’s hope that it could improve with practice or new hires.

I just moved to South Seattle and this is my favorite coffee place ever! All the other reviews here are totally accurate. Amazing customer service, most delicious coffee and baked goods. Do yourself a favor and go here!

Ditto what the first 2 reviewers said!
Welcome to RB, South Beach Espresso! This place was desperately needed and we are so glad you’re here!
I had a tasty 12-​ounce vanilla latte, which was about as perfect as it could get in every way, including beautifully crafted latte foam leaf art in the funky, hand-​painted ceramic cup. Well done, Miss Barista!
I also had a fresh peanut butter cookie, which was enormous (almost 2 inches thick and 5 inches wide, I’d guess), but so reasonably priced and DELICIOUS. I was told that they are delivered every morning fresh. It was soft and delightful.
Friendly customer service. Even when my small child was dropping cookie crumbs on the floor (*don’t worry, I cleaned up our mess).
Fair prices (my medium-​sized latte, giant triple-​sized cookie, AND juice for my kid all came out to less than $ 6…holy moly!).
Squeaky and sparkly clean, freshly-​painted and decorated walls and pretty new floors, cozy and welcoming establishment.
Everybody wins.
Hmmm, you look a little tired. I think I know what would help:
Go have a coffee at South Beach Espresso. Now!

This really is a great coffee shop. Great coffee. Great service. And best yet — right in the neighborhood. RB NEEDS you south beach! Please try to get some regular hours. People need their coffee early and when you don’t open until after 7 some days, I have to shamefully head to starbucks …

A fantastic little coffee shop! The barristas are friendly and the wi-​fi is fast. My double espresso had a fantastic crema and my soy latte was well-​balanced and served in a beautiful hand-​painted mug. I also snacked on a strawberry cream-​cheese sugar bun, and it was just as good as it sounds. They didn’t seem to mind me hanging out pretty much all afternoon working on my laptop.
Mostly, I’m just excited that we have a coffee shop in Rainier Beach now. Please stay, South Beach Espresso!