Alki Cafe

We were hungry after hanging out at the beach. We decided to try lunch at Alki cafe. We have no complaints. I ordered the mushroom burger and it was delicious. Fries were good also. Although restaurant was very busy, I was surprised by the attentiveness and friendliness of our waitress . My wife had a salad which was also very good. Great food.......excellent service.....reasonable prices......while enjoying the view.......what else can you ask for. Next time we're there, we're definitely trying their breakfast foods.

Pros: Excellent food and service

Cons: No dinner

Posted 08/03/09

I have never written a review before today. My daughter and I enjoy getting together for brunch on weekends. Today was our first time eating at Alki Cafe. The location was very nice with a view of Alki Beach. We ordered the $11.95 Italian Benedict modified to our vegetarian taste. It was ok, nothing special. We have had better for less money. When the bill arrived, we questioned the waitress about it, as we confirmed the price before ordering. Next thing we knew the owner came out, arms crossed, glaring at my daughter, and suddenly the atmosphere turned hostel. I have never before been treated so rudely when I have eaten out. Up until this point we were enjoying our time together; which at that point left us feeling very uncomfortable. I am normally a generous tipper; not today. Needless to say we will not eat here again, nor will I recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Pros: Across from Alki beach

Cons: Rude owner. Made to feel really uncomfortable

Posted 01/03/09

This place does not appreciate PAYING customers. Management doe not have a clue about customer serivce. Save yourself the stress and make scrambled eggs and toast at home... it'll taste much better!

Pros: open for business

Cons: open for business

Posted 04/25/08

My mother (who is from California) and I stopped in at the Alki Cafe on Wednesday for a late brunch and we had a great time. Our server was warm and friendly, she offered wonderful recommendations and answered our questions thoroughly. The food was done within fifteen minutes, my coffee level was never lower than half a cup and we were allowed to sit at our table as long as we wanted.

Which is why I was surprised to read all of these horrible reviews! I highly suggest it- awesome service, great variety and wonderful location.

**Try the crab benedict, you won't be sorry**

Pros: Service, great food, view, an awesome place to call your breakfast dive!

Cons: parking!

Posted 04/23/08

We had a party of 13. the waitress was very nice. We received our food and as we were eating, the owner actually came over and broke into a tirade about how he couldn't seat 13 people - AFTER WE HAD ALREADY ORDERED AND RECEIVED OUR FOOD. This guy is a world class bafoon. i've never seen anything like it. We will never frequent this establishment again and hope you rethink your meal plans as well. Nobody wants to be harassed by the owner of a restaurant in which you are dining and PAYING.

Pros: used to be a nice place

Cons: Owner yells at customers. Makes people very uncomfortable.

Posted 04/12/08

Just ok cafe, good benedict. The atmosphere is a little clinical but the cheese sauce is good. Service was attentive and good.

Posted 03/02/08

This is a great little breakfast spot with outstanding benedicts. If you are a purist, you may shy away from the unorthodox hollandaise, however, there's nothing to fear.

Pros: food

Cons: parking, the place is tiny be prepared to wait

Posted 01/14/08

For those reviews complaining about the service, I can't help ask the question: was the "horrible" server justified in being rude? Often times it can be the patron who deserves a poor review....Ten minutes is NOT LONG AT ALL to wait for a busy server to take an order, especially in a gem like the Alki Cafe. My husband and I make the journey over the West Seattle Bridge just to enjoy brunch at Alki. It has a lovely charm about it and we get great service even on the packed Sunday mornings. One server is so sweet that we asked her name specifically for this review.
My husband and I highly recommend this spot. For delicious food at a resonable price head to West Seattle and ask for Sarah to serve you. :) She is geniunely friendly and truly adds to the ambiance of the Alki Cafe.
My husband always orders the crabcakes, but I really enjoy the gingerbread pancakes. Try them, you'll love them!!!

Posted 02/19/07

My friend and I went to the Alki Cafe this morning and were truly appalled by the awful service we received. After being seated and ordering our drinks we waited nearly 10 minutes without a server asking to take our order. When we politely asked the server if we could order, she ignored us and sent over the hostess who rudely and loudly informed us that the server was very busy. Once we received our food, not one person came by to check on us throughout our entire meal. Needless to say, we left a very small tip. When the waitress saw, she said "Don't bother!" and stormed off.

I used to be a regular patron of the Alki Cafe however I can no longer recomend this restaurant. The sevice was beyond terrible.

Cons: Worst customer service ever!

Posted 01/16/07

Been going almost every Sunday for 5 years. Love this place, service is always great and you can count on the food being great everytime you go. Orange juice is fresh and suprisingly great coffee. If you have people in town this is a great place to go to, reasonably priced and a great view.

Pros: Food, service, price... what more could you ask for!

Cons: well known gem, get there early for good seating

Posted 07/05/06

We love the location, but the cost of the food for what you get is too high. We used to go here regularly, even though the cost was high and the service margin at best, until we were literally told off by the manager. We allowed our 2-year old to get down from the table to move around a bit. Keep in mind that the restaurant was nearly empty this wet, fall day. The manager said that she would take no liability for the safety of our child, as if he had wandered into the kitchen or something. The she proceeded to glare at us as we finished our meal. We will not be going back!

Pros: location

Cons: food value, service, management

Posted 01/27/06

The food is pretty good and the staff is very friendly at the Alki Cafe, but the manager/owner is really rude and I won't patronize this restaurant again as long as he is around.

Pros: good location, nice staff

Cons: rude owner, long wait time, rude owner

Posted 08/29/05

I am not a picky person and have never took the time to write a dining review but I feel it is important to post my poor experience at this cafe. Whatever you do, DON'T take a group larger then 4 people, DON'T take senior citizens there, DON'T take kids. I had been to the cafe several times before in smaller groups, but a group over 4 simply doesn't work there. It wasn't worth 45 minute long wait to feel like our party of 6 was such an awful incovenience for them. It was supposed to be a celebratory brunch for my Mother's birthday, instead, we felt rushed and frowned upon since we were 6 people (who didn't mind waiting). We waited for 45 minutes, only to be rushed out as soon as possible. Not a friendly atmosphere. Won't go back, a terrible place to bring kids and senior citizens.

Pros: across from beach, veggie sausage

Cons: too busy on weekends, unfriendly owner

Posted 07/25/05

Visited the Alki for the second time this morning. Last time I had the delicious Cafe Benedict with crab cakes and poached eggs. Would have preferred a classic Hollandaise to the swiss-assiago sauce, but it was good anyhow. Had the chicken fried steak and eggs today. Eggs, potatoes and English muffin great. CFsteak - avoid it. Tough and tasteless. Nevertheless, go to this terrific little spot.

Pros: Food (usually), View, Price

Posted 08/26/04

Panoramic views of Puget Sound and beach-related eye candy gild the lily at this popular West Seattle spot. Breakfast is their specialty (served until 2pm), and with perfected dishes like the Cafe Benedict (made with fresh crabcakes), no wonder they're packed past noon. Lunch and dinner are no slouches either, with a wide variety of interesting sandwiches, fresh pasta, and impeccably fresh seafood. And prices are surprisingly inexpensive, given the neighborhood.

Pros: great breakfast, fantastic view, inexpensive

Cons: limited parking, crowded on weekends

Posted 01/27/04

Without peer, this place makes the most excellent cinnamon rolls I've ever had in Seattle, at least since the Crusty Loaf closed. They are amazing. I just wish they'd add raisins and/or pecans to some once in a while...then I'd be in heaven.

Posted 05/21/02