Stella Caffe

Yummy. Small place but the coffee is amazing. It’s the real deal and the shop is very cool, cool décor and atmosphere. If you’re in the neighorhood, checking out the SAM or whatever, stop in… you won’t regret it.

My first stop off the Cab.
My business often takes me to Seattle. I have become addicted to Stellas. It is not only the quality of coffee, but the artistic preparation that hits the right spot.
The interior is nothing special and they have added a lively bar over the past year or so, but it is the coffee the keeps this place as my first stop from the airport off the cab.
cheers.

I share Kzed’s frustration, but if it’s any consolation, The Diller Room still serves coffee (including the Roman Cappuccino to which I am addicted), and the hours (currently 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily) will – according to the guy I just spoke to on the phone – be expanding in March to open at 11 a.m. or possibly earlier.
The coffee gets five stars, the reduced access gets one. Average: three.

I’m a complete drip. Drip coffee, that is. But standing behind a woman that ordered what looked like the best cappuccino ever, I had to get one for myself. Middle of the day, Stella was seeing a fair amount of traffic for lunch, coffee, and even a few bellying up for a beer.
The waitstaff was so genuinely nice, I was taken aback. Seattleans have a way about them that I’m not used to, coming from the big cold shouldered Midwest. The cappuccino was gorgeous in presentation and the best I’ve ever had.
I decided to order a panini, and was impressed by the focus on fresh local ingredients on the menu. My panini featured local produce and Beecher’s signature cheese on fresh and toasty bread. I couldn’t have chosen a better place to end my nice stay in Seattle.

They do not serve coffee all day… What a bummer.
I came in figuring I could get myself a shot & an espresso. That is, a shot of bourbon & and espresso. I mean, it was happy hour!
Alas, no.
Fortunately, they did have an espresso martini which in a bind really satisfied both my need for a drink and a pick me up.
The space is kind of cool, I appreciate that they left a lot of it fairly intact from the old hotel.

So, we were still looking for a place to continue drinking and after being ignominiously given the cold shoulder by Pike Pub and a failed trip to a wine bar-​Argentinian no less. We ended up at this place– it seemed like a bit of a long shot but at this point we were desperate and had a limited time window.
The sign out front was promising with $ 3.25 PBRs-​not a fan but oh well. However, our bartender was awesome and literally the only person that was able to put up with 10 annoying drunks. I can’t remember how many rounds were order by who but she was pretty gracious and worked quickly with the other bartender to keep us all hydrated/​inebriated.
We got hungry and asked about the pizzas-​we ordered 5 which only came out to $ 25 and after I bad mouthed the pepperoni she slammed me and said that the pepperoni was awesome here and I was stupid to ignore it. She was absolutely right the pepperoni was really good-​and keep in mind I hate that meat. The sausage was also very good as well but the pepperoni was so delicious-​apparently brought in from New York.
The one thing I will say is that it’s pretty crowded, however with 10 and then an even dozen of us any place is bound to get tight.

Walking down 1^st Avenue after visiting the Market and SAM with three kids and I’m in desperate need of a coffee. Now typically I would go for Starbucks in this situation as they are consistently crappy and I know what to expect, BUT I was literally standing in front of Stella, it said coffee, and I thought to myself «well at least I’ll be able to write a review».
So I walked in to this near deserted place, made sure they didn’t use Hershey syrup (gag) and ordered. Got my coffee, took a drink and was pleasantly surprised. Wow. I stumbled upon a gem here! This is some good shhhhh. Huh. Who knew? (Apparently a few ppl looking at the reviews now).
Other than the fact that I ordered non-​fat and she gave me what tasted like 2%, it was really good. Like almost Vivace good. Way to go. I savored that delicious coffee, applauded myself for taking a chance, and made a mental note of where it was for future reference.

Absolutely great espresso with perfect presentation. The friendly staff makes coming here feel like you’re part of the neighborhood– even if the neighborhood is downtown & congested.
They have very good panini’s as far as I can tell, but have only tried the veggie & chicken. The pastry selection isn’t the greatest but I come for the coffee. So there.

The wife and I love this place. We are looking forward to it becoming a new wine bar… hosting late night bar activities!

5 stars for the vibe, the décor, and the chandelier! But the coffee was actually a little disappointing to us! Maybe we set the bar too high when all the coffee-​snobs pointed us in the direction of Stella and raved about their drinks. As far as straight coffee goes, we both felt that it leaves some things to be desired.
We ordered standard cups of coffee and were dismayed by the watered-​down-​ness of it all. It was diluted and not that bold, not that aromatic. Which is seriously too bad, because we really, really wanted to love this place. It’s very charming on the out and inside. I realize I’m in the minority to Unilocal this place 2 stars, but it’s nothing personal. It’s just… I’ve had better. And this is supposed to be coffee-​capitol of the nation!

One sip and I was back on the slippery cobblestones of Rome. The cobblestones in front of Caffè S. Eustachio to be exact. Although touristy due to its close vicinity to the Pantheon, it was the BEST espresso I had while I lived there for 3 months. (for 1 measly euro by the by!)
Stella’s Roman Cappuccino comes pretty damn close to the flavors of Italia. It must be in the art of the way they prepare the bean: the Roman way. The drink in question starts with a generous helping of raw sugar, some magical European blend of espresso and topped with steaming milk and a dash of ‘secret’ cocoa powder. Perfection.
It’s ruined me on all other coffees in Seattle. There’s nothing I needed to add to the cappuccino, it was just the right balance of strong and lightly sweet. The only difference? In Rome, you knock back espresso like a shot at the bar and say your «arrivedercis» in minutes — at Stella’s, you can sip and savor. Ahhhhh

This is an excellent find in the center of downtown. The bright, warm entrance is cozy if you’re just looking to sit down, talk with friends, and sip an espresso. The Diller Room in the back is great for group meetings, grabbing a few beers before going out for the night, or getting work done.
Rob and everyone that works with him are just awesome, always willing to make sure you have a great experience, friendly, and entertaining of course!
And did I mention, they serve beer, wine, and other libations? I always had trouble deciding between a warm espresso drink and an iced one. Now, throw in excellent beer on tap, or in a bottle, and it’s a real conundrum! It’s a lot of fun to just chill at the standing bar and sip a cold one.

One of my favorite new coffee shops and my goto spot for coffee when I’m downtown or just need a cozy place to work. The baristas are incredibly friendly and clearly love working here; no ironic looks or sad faces here! The décor has more character and charm than just about any other coffee shop I can think of in Seattle. The front café has an inviting arch over the entryway, lovely exposed brick, and a beautiful, classic ceiling. The back room is actually the lobby of the gone, but not forgotten, Diller Hotel.
They have free wifi and its network name (Stella Loves You) tells you all you need to know about their attitude and feelings toward their customers. And let me not forget the most important part: the coffee! It’s fantastic… a bold, rich roast (without being bitter) that just feels wonderful in your mouth. Add to that delicious desserts, crostinis, sandwiches, beer, and wine, and you have yourself the perfect place to spend the entire day. I love this place and I’ll be coming back for more and more and more!

I’ll tell you a little secret about this place: ask for a mocha made with one of their dark chocolate truffles. Shhh… don’t say I told you about it.
The beautiful, sun-​bathed, exposed-​brick, vintage and golden coffee shop will seduce you. That’s only foreplay before your coffee experience.
You will get a cup of coffee just like many like their lovers: hot, creamy, slightly strong, bold and sexy. The combination of fresh brew and chocolate will swirl on your tongue like a French kiss masterfully given.
It’s almost sexual. Yes, it is!
(Ask for «Stella Loves You» if you happen to be in the neighborhood with your laptop. You’ll love «her» back.)
¡Cinco sexy estrellas!

Downtown Seattle is chock full coffeeshops, but in it’s relatively young life, Stella Café has established itself as a prime example of what a café should be: welcoming, comfortable, and most perhaps most importantly, inexpensive.
Husband-​and-​wife owners Rob and Josie modeled their 1^st Avenue establishment after Italian coffeeshops, and they have done a very good job of capturing the atmosphere of a European neighborhood café. From the vintage tile floor to the marble tabletops to the worn wood of the back bar, everything about the shop exudes a welcoming warmth, perfect for enjoying a casual conversation or reading the morning paper over a cup of coffee.
Plus, with the recent addition of beer and wine, an expanded food selection, and an expansive back room, Stella is poised to be the premier location for your morning fix, a casual lunch, an afternoon pick-​me-​up, and even a quick happy hour.
Apart from the atmosphere, the service is genuinely friendly, the coffee is consistently good, and the prices are about as reasonable as you’re going to find anywhere in the city.
If you haven’t experienced it yet, do yourself a favor and drop by. I guarantee it won’t be your last visit.

Absolutely love, love, LOVE this place! They have an amazing roman cappuccino and the pastries are, literally, to die for. The prices are decent (cheaper than Starbucks for sure) and the décor is very cozy. Rob and Josie (the owners) are fantastic people, they are always very warm and welcoming and even throw in a free truffle on my drink order sometimes.
My only regret is that I don’t work down the street from them anymore so when I do make it to downtown Seattle, I always make a point to stop by here.

I walked past this café last night as it was closing and vowed to return the next day to check it out. As we entered, I was impressed with the interior. Everything was so cute and delicious-​looking!
Since we had literally JUST had coffee, we decided to go for the Summer Special they had advertised on the chalkboard outside: freshly-​squeezed lemonade. We walked in and were greeted by Rob, who went out of his way to talk to each customer individually. Loved it. I felt bad for not ordering an actual coffee item, but I can definitely vouch for them and say that everything looked delicious!
Our lemonade was made to order and came with half a lemon in the drink. That made it a little difficult to stick our straws in, but it’s okay because it was delicious. Totally hit the spot! I’d be here a lot if I lived here since it’s between SAM and a fine paper store. Wonderful!

It’s been a while Unilocal… It has been a while. Over the last several weeks I have been writing a list of the places I needed to Unilocal… but this morning I was pushed over the edge, in the most positive of ways.
I have been meaning to get up to Stella’s for a while. I am sick of Tully’s and dislike Starbucks… maybe it is the fact that the beans are burnt or they just don’t know how to make a good Latte. When I visit the smaller spots however, I always seem to have a better experience. Stella’s being right up the Steps from my gig, seemed to be a great place to experiment.
This morning, tired and having missed breakfast at home… I walked into Stella’s. The owner (I don’t know his name) greeted me with sweet Italian pet names and knew that this was my first time. As he took my order, I was able to look around and observe what a cool, funky little joint this is… from the antique display units they have, to the super chill lounge (the Diller Room) in the back. They do happy hour!
I ordered a croissant for myself, with strawberry jelly, a Caramel Latte and a cake/​pastry type thing for my coworker… HE TOASTED THE CROISSANT AND THE CAKE!!! HOLY TOLEDO, THAT IS THE JOINT RIGHT THERE!!! (BTW: Can someone explain to me how Toledo earned it’s Holy status?)
Another bonus, among the millions of things I loved about this place… they sell Coke. Not your regular Coke that you get at Safeway, they sell the real stuff… the sugar cane Coke. Ah! No high fructose corn syrup… for realz!
So…Will I be back? Most definitely. As much as possible!
I LOVE YOU STELLA’S!

I was a fan of their coffee when it was a roasting operation in SoDo, and now they have out done themselves. They have brought Italy to Seattle!!!
As a Bostonian, I tend to be very critical of everything Italian and Stella has yet to disappoint. I loved the prosciutto Panini with arugula, mozzarella, and olive oil. The ingredients were fresh and the panini bread was perfect. They captured the simple elegance that is Italian cuisine.
Rob and Josie are down to earth and overwhelmingly friendly. They eliminate the pretentiousness that all too often comes with Seattle coffee houses.
At the end of the day though, you want good coffee and they do not disappoint. I am a Cumbia addict, but will drink anything they put in front of me.
If you are going to the Seattle Art Museum, do yourself a favor and walk across the street and get a coffee, panini, and a smile!!!

Stella Caffe has blessed our neighborhood with the warmth of family. On a chilly Seattle day, nothing could be more welcoming than Rob and Josie Wilson’s café.
I first experienced Stella on the eve of their opening, when I stopped to say «Hi» as they installed the sign above their door. Rob invited me in for a tour, and offered to make me a fresh coffee. Since then, I’ve been back every day … sometimes twice.
The Coffee: Rob roasts his own coffee at their roastery down on South Fourth. The espresso is rich, smooth and aromatic; I highly recommend enjoying a Roman Cappuccino at the bar.
The Food: Panini. Hot, delicious panini. My favorite so far is the Vegetariano, with fresh eggplant, roasted red pepper, zucchini and basil. Try one and you will become a believer. If it’s breakfast time, opt for a slice of the panettone, sweet Italian holiday bread toasted on the panini press.
The best part of Stella, and what makes them stand head and shoulders above all other coffee shops in Seattle, is the warmth of family. Rob and Josie have infused Stella Caffé with love; you can feel it as soon as you walk in the door. Their baristas are friendly and interesting, and make it worth staying a while. Together, they’ve created an atmosphere that welcomes you in and embraces your soul.