Best Mocha and waffle in town. Any time we are at Swedish Hospital this is our treat.
(5)
Eric W.
I wanted something more than a chain coffee shop has to offer, so I decided to stop in while waiting for a doctors appointment- WOW! The hand crafted pastries taste hand crafted... Quality ingredients, wonderful texture, etc. show through in every bite. I indicated that I have an appreciation for specialty coffees and the owner very warmly shared info about the coffee I had ordered, the roasters, and the reason she chose that roast. She gave my partner and I mocha samples which were AMAZING! (She uses real Swiss chocolate wafers in her mochas)... I cannot wait to return on my next visit!
(5)
Laura T.
We walked in while walking aimlessly around Swedish. Truth be told, we had an aim: to get lunch. Yelp didn't recommend us Arosa Cafe for lunch though and the places recommended weren't open at 11am so walking into this tiny coffeshop was a risk. The cafe has an intimate feel but that's not what makes the experience 5 stars. The service is outstanding, Isabella went out of her way to make us feel welcome and got us to taste some chair (we ended up buying the bottles to make our own at home). She served the scrumptious sandwiches with nice glasses of water and neatly folded napkins and shiny cutlery. My sandwich had black forest ham, artichoke hearts, mozzarella cheese and a pesto that was not too overpowering yet savory (turns out it's imported so the food snob in me would say of course that's why it was good). Overall, I get the feeling that the ingredients used are high quality and the edibles are prepared with love. I want to go back and leave a proper tip since this time I was out of change.
(5)
Candi K.
I am so glad I came here. I was at Swedish and wanted a snack and I went on Yelp and found this place. The owner was working and wow, she is so kind and friendly. I know they were known for their waffle and got the dark and white chocolate waffle. Amazing! I would of gotten a coffee if I didn't have one 30 mins before. She was making some iced coffee and let me have a small bit of it. It was good, sweetened with agave which is nice. We were talking about coffee and Seattle stuff. She really cares about having the best quality ingredients there is. I am willing to pay a little more for better quality. I will come back again when I'm near by.
(5)
Ren G.
Waffle, what have they done to you!? I'm still mourning this experience because they killed every beautiful notion I'd ever had of a traditional Belgian waffle. I came in on a Saturday afternoon. The lady at the counter politely offered me a menu. As I poured over it, I thought I must be mistaken because there was no waffle section. And then I realized, the waffle section had been purposefully blacked out. What the hell? I though in anguish. The only waffles in the place were something called "snack waffles" in the pastry case. I should've walked out right then and there, but instead, I decided, hey, I have a lot of dollars. I can afford to throw seven of them away on inedible food. The waffle I received was like chewing slightly warm multigrain bread with a mild hint of cinnamon. It was so thick, if you took the batter it came from, I'm sure you could use it for spackle. It was warm, which was more than I expected, but it was absolutely dry, flavorless, and inedible. As my boyfriend and I walked away, we seriously considered giving it to the pigeons downtown. The latte I ordered to wash it down faired no better. I'm not actually even certain of what it tasted like since five minutes after leaving the store when I took my first sip of it, it was still so hot it singed my tongue. Like, epic volcano hot. Hotter than any latte I have ever taken a sip of. I'm giving this experience two stars rather than one because the service was fine and the place was clean. But will I be back? Hahaha.
(2)
Valerie W.
Real Swiss Chocolate Hazelnut Milk Mocha w/Mint syrup....are ya kidding me!? As I had never been in before the gal made some suggestions...and great ones at that noting their mochas were indeed some of the best. I first opted for Almond milk but she told me to try the hazelnut. Boy oh boy was I in for a treat. Now I'm usually one for just straight up coffee, no milk, or any of that mumbo-jumbo..but this...THIS drink was flipping phenomenal. After one sip I was in heaven. It literally tasted like dessert in my mouth. $4.65 very, very well spent. I highly recommend coming here. The place is small and quaint, but tons of goody options and waffles! I will most certainly be back.
(5)
Inness P.
I've passed by Arosa so many times and I've always been curious, so when I finally got the chance to try one of their waffles, I jumped on it. It was about 10:15 on a Saturday morning, and that part of Madison was pretty dead. There were three people there when I arrived and they seemed to be regulars. The one person working there was chatting with them but got up immediately to help me when I entered. I asked to look at the menu, expecting that a place that boasts Belgian snack waffles would have a dedicated waffle section. Not so! There were snack waffles in the pastry case and it looked like I could choose from a couple of toppings. I asked for Nutella and banana; she didn't have banana, but she suggested whipped cream powdered with shaved chocolate, and I agreed. It cost about $6.00 all together. The waffle was room temperature and very dry. I didn't hate it, but neither was I wowed. I nibbled on it for half an hour or so; the Nutella and whipped cream together were very rich and I wished for some fruit to balance it out. The nice lady brought a little sample of chai latte to my table and I enjoyed that much more. The space is very cozy, clean, and warm on a winter's morning. The person who worked there was very pleasant. But I probably won't be back - parking is a hassle around there, and the waffles just aren't worth it to me.
(3)
Alice C.
What a wonderful little coffee shop! I came to Arosa to kill an hour while waiting for my friend to get done with a meeting at Virginia Mason. The owner/barista was incredibly nice and welcoming, and the mocha I ordered was rich and creamy (and made with authentic Swiss chocolate!!!). It's an intimate little space and very adorable. Will probably return next time I'm in the area.
(5)
Melissa M.
Tried to check it out, but it was closed in the middle of the day?
(1)
Rachel F.
I loved their panini's and cocoa, made from chocolate shavings. However, I went by there today for lunch and it is closed down! So sad!
(4)
Kristen N.
Don't be fooled by its outwards appearance, and for God's sake do NOT make the mistake of going across the street to Starbucks. This little hidden gem is the perfect place to grab an authentic swiss chocolate mocha (get the dark chocolate, trust me), and a bite to eat. Breakfast or lunch sandwiches (option for Gluten-free bread from local baker, Fran's bakery--amazing), or treat your sweet tooth to a waffle. A simple menu with incredible tastes.
(5)
Daniel W.
I do enjoy the mocha made with authentic swiss chocolate. The snack waffles are also delicious, just make sure they heat it up for you! The reason however that I am giving this a four star review is due to the fact that they seem to be often under staffed at peak morning hours. This has resulted in missed orders, miscommunication, and long waits for something that should have taken a few minutes. I was once completely skipped in line by the lady making the drinks. Overall, I love supporting small business, and this one has something going for it in a world of coffee mega-chains. I will return.
(4)
Peder B.
Amazing service! The owner was so nice, she was busy because a bunch of customers showed up at once, but she made time to talk to us, made us complimentary swiss hot chocolates and treated us like royalty. The sandwiches hit the spot too! She has a quote "may all who enter as guests, leave as friends" written on her counter and it is absolutely true. Not many places live up to this kind of service standard.
(5)
Jordan O.
Service is incredible, food is beyond amazing and the waffles are out of this world. By far the best waffles I have ever had in my life. So completely different from any place I have been and I would definitely come back every time I'm back in Seattle.
(5)
Amy M.
Overpriced (seriously, $2.75 for a drip coffee that it cost maybe 30 cents to actually make?), average quality (it tasted like it had been sitting there for a while), and the barista was pretty rude. I brought in my personal/to-go cup (because, you know, it's Seattle and we like saving the environment), and she asked how much coffee it was ... I told her 16 oz, and she felt the need to fill a paper cup with water to check the volume, just so, you know, I didn't get an extra ounce and a half of coffee for free or something like that. I just wanted coffee, not your attitude.
(2)
Alec W.
As everyone else has said, the mocha is excellent, as are the snack waffles. But the woman working there is incredibly nice and generous too. She gave me a second snack waffle for free because she forgot to give me the one I ordered after it was done toasting (she was busy serving other customers so I didn't mind or make a fuss, but she insisted on giving me a second one). Another customer ordered a 12oz chai and she accidentally made too much so she gave him the extra for free (customer said he was fighting a cold, I don't think it was an accident that she made extra). Overall she was just a sweetheart, which is what makes visiting little cafes like this such an enjoyable experience. Highly recommend if you're in the area!
(5)
Lynda J.
Such a cute friendly little cafe! I recently started goîng regularly on Sunday's. The worker us friendly and relaxed. The mocha's are to die for and the breakfast Sammie and panini are wonderful as well. Can highly recommend.
(5)
Tiara A.
The first time I came here I ordered a Chai Tea and they really took their time time with making it. I only go to one place for a Chai Tea because all other place usually taste watered down. I have now made this my second place to get Chai Tea from. The waitress suggested have spicy, half regular and it was a perfect combination. They're small but private and relaxing. Breakfast sandwiches are made with real eggs and it tastes soooo good. Cheese all the way melted and meat cooked separately and not just heated up in the microwave somewhere. It really tastes like a sandwich I made from home. Baristas are really nice and I always have a pleasant experience when I go there.
(4)
Sonya B.
Very sweet place! Seems very close to heart. Isabel is very nice lady. It was our first time and she gave us many samples and had us try different things. I will be coming here instead of Starbucks across the street. Must try!!! :)
(5)
Sarah J.
I am so disappointed with my latest trip to Arosa. My daughter and I have been coming here on and off for years, and were huge fans of the delicious, handmade waffles. Hans, the affable Austrian owner, was always sweet and friendly, and made us feel welcome and appreciated from the first time we walked through his door. I was incredibly saddened to learn that Hans had sold the business in order to pursue a new venture, but hopeful that he had passed on his recipes and know-how to the new owners. Alas. The waffles looked the same, but were bland and undercooked. The inside of my daughter's waffle was actually raw. After taking five steps out the door and one bite of the waffle, we headed back in to ask that it be cooked thoroughly. The two young girls working there seemed dismissive, and not at all concerned. They gave us another waffle, and we left. Again, raw dough. We ended up tossing it in the trash, and chalking the $3+ up as a loss. I will not return to Arosa. Its sad that the new owners have taken Hans' delicious waffles and turned them into inedible mush...and that their employees don't even seem to care. I should add that the new employees advised us to wait 5 minutes to eat the second waffle, allowing it time to "cook" thoroughly. We waited the 5 min. Still raw.
(2)
Kyle S.
~Good, but not quite the same~ It has been a while since I have made it in to Cafe Arosa. I was in my office and had a hankerin for a wafle and some banter with Hans.......super sad times. I knew something was up when I saw all the new treats and the furniture. As regulars know Hans sold the business to open a chocolate shop down in Madison Park. I am happy for Hans and excited to go to his shop, but sad he is gone. I was happy that they still had waffles but then sad agaiin when I tried one. Not the same at all. They have been heavily "Americanized" in a 'more is better' kind of way. The originals were subtle, malty and sweet. These ones reminded me of the episode wher Homer Simpson went to Carnival in Brazil. "mmmmmmm, sweet....Sweet....SWEET.....SWEEEEET!!" They had pea sized chuncks of sugar all the way through. A bit much and probably about 1-1.5 tablespoons worth in sugar chunks alone. Not bad...just not the same and a bit too much leaving me with a bit of an stomach ache. And Im a certified candy monster. It was more Top Pot doughnut sweet. If you are in the mood for that then they are awesome. The breakfast sandwich was very good though. And the girl who helped me was very nice.
(3)
T R.
I go to this place just about every day. The food is great, the service is great and I don't have any complaints. If you are not happy with the food or drink you purchased they are more than happy to re make it or get you something else.
(5)
Kristen M.
Excellent little cafe! First time in Seattle, used Yelp to find a place for breakfast close to our hotel. The minute we walked in, the owner was friendly and polite, asking if it was our first time here. She told us they are know for their Mochas (very true! I had the cafe mocha) because they use Swiss chocolate. She then brought us chocolate samples to try! We also ordered the paninis which were delish and not too heavy. Another customer raved about the snack waffles.. so we may be back again to try those! This cafe is very quaint and homey-feeling. Great atmosphere, very welcoming. Excellent choice for our first meal in Seattle! Would come again
(5)
Sharon K.
What a hidden gem! I was in the area for an appointment and I wanted to grab a quick lunch before heading to work. I remember reading good reviews about Arosa Cafe, so I decided to check it out. Instantly, i was greeted at the door by Isabella, the owner who was extremely friendly. I ordered a caprese sandwich, which was slightly small, but very delicious. The highlight of the visit was the customer service. Isabella was very accommodating and friendly. She even gave me a free drink because she made too much for the previous customer. Normally, cafes just toss it out, so it was a pleasant surprise. While waiting for my sandwich, she asked how my day was and also told me about the cafe. It was a great experience. I am definitely coming back and would recommend anyone who is on the edge of visiting!
(5)
Roshni N.
The dark hot chocolate was one of the best I've ever had! I also tried the caprese panini and just fell in love with the place. The food + customer service made this a five star. I plan to go again and recommend to my friends :-)
(5)
Megan T.
Very impressed with the sandwiches! I got the gruyere and tomato panini. It was amazingly delicious and perfectly balanced with flavor. The panini had a little olive oil dripping, but nothing an extra napkin can't clean up. On top of the delicious sandwich, they gave me a small raisin pastry to go with the sandwich. Quite the deal for $7.25. I also ordered a spicy chai tea, which again had a great balance, but still a little kick to it. I will definitely plan to be back. They also added new patio seating. Can't wait until the summer to sit outside and enjoy some of their food.
(5)
Donna E.
The woman who runs the cafe is very sweet, she gave us samples of the real Swiss chocolate she uses in her mochas-- and it was the best mocha I've ever had. That's saying something. The breakfast panini and snack waffle were good as well, but if you go, the mocha is a must-have. We also got to sample the iced coffee, which is surprisingly and delightfully strong.
(5)
Peter C.
The former owner Hans doesn't run this place anymore. It's sad; I really enjoyed Arosa when he did. The new owner has cluttered the shop with all kinds of miscellaneous candy. The space is already small, and now the counter is taken up with a cornucopia of colored wrappers and price signs. Not cool. The new owner also thinks that 2 shots isn't standard in an Americano. I've happily paid 3.50+tax for an americano before, but it was at fancy hotels, not at the place right outside my bus stop. The only saving grace is that I don't think she's running her business very well and we'll have a new owner soon enough.
(1)
Deborah D.
Well well well.... I went back since my last review and it was good. Today, I went again and see another new girl. The owner is trying to expand the business but didn't do well on quality control. I think the their mocha is the best in town, but today, it's like cocoa hot water. Sign!! I'm disappointed.
(1)
Jaime T.
Visiting from Portland and a friend recommended this plate for the pure chocolate used in their drinks. The mocha is very rich and delicious. Add some cinnamon and nutmeg on top for more flavor. Reasonably priced and friendly service.
Service was great! Coffee was great! Sandwiches were fantastic! The turkey, pesto, and cheese panini was sooooo good. I also enjoyed the fig and mozzarella. Thank you for the great time!
(5)
Daren D.
Just 2 words: warm & charming. The food is good! My roasted turkey panini was enjoyable and that snack waffle... O thy snack waffle! Omnomnomnomnomnomnom... the chai is lovely, too. Grandpa* Hans is a sweet fella and super cool. I asked him if the picture of a Model A Coupe on the wall was his, and upon him saying no, he went on about some car story. It was neat. I believe he retired in '92, only to open a coffee shop... loving to work 20 YEARS---after retiring? Holy smokes! :-) *I didn't call him that, but I wouldn't mind doing so if it was ok with him.
(5)
Courtney C.
This is by far my most favorite place to stop for coffee and a snack waffle! The staff has always been friendly and remember their loyal customers. If you're a chocolate lover; you've got to get the cafe mocha, they use fresh Swiss chocolate to make it. Yum! And the European snack waffle is just the best, definitely grab one!
(5)
Bethany V.
Awesome customer service! So generous and nice! My mom is Gluten and Dairy free and they were so understanding! They even had gluten free bread available and offered to make any panini and sandwich for her without cheese! They also said they have milk substitutes for coffees available. The snack waffles they are know for are just as amazing as the service!! Ambiance and atmosphere is so calm, quiet, and relaxing. Would come back here in a heartbeat!
(5)
Steven F.
Get a snack waffle and a double-shot 12oz mocha. I've found (after much experimenting) that the 12oz with two shots of espresso is the perfect balance of coffee and chocolate. The 8oz is too sweet with one shot and too bitter with two. Your mileage may vary. The mochas are delicious, made with melted down Swiss chocolate, and pair well with waffles. The waffles are great. It's probably a bad thing to say they remind me of Cinnamon French toast Eggo waffles, but hey, I love those things, and these are bigger. They're Belgian waffle squares that are ironed with visible CHUNKS of sugar and some sort of sugar-cinnamon glaze, as far as I can tell. Very tasty. If they offer to warm one up for you, ask them to not put the napkin in the to-go bag. It sticks to the waffle terribly. They have other stuff here, too - a rotating selection of pastries (only had the chocolate croissants, and they're fine), and paninis and other drinks. They recently added a gelato machine, but I haven't had the pleasure yet. I'm sure they're all great, but really... one waffle and one double-shot 12oz mocha.
(5)
Wennie H.
I love Arosa. The waffles are simple and delicious. The cute old man paints on a sugar coating that makes the waffles crunchy and just the right amount of sweet. It's not an overwhelming sweet, it's literally perfect. I always feel like I can eat 3-4 but by number 2 I know I've reached the "good" point. I had a mocha here once and it was a little too bitter for me...so I only come for the waffles now.
(4)
Kat B.
Excellent Chai Tea and the waffles were yummy...very dense, crusty and not overly sweet. (Not the airy Belgian type). Atmosphere was very pleasant but pretty small.
(4)
Nick T.
Sign still says Arosa Cafe however Hans has sold it to "Franky and Doms". Sad to see hans go but I am happy to hear he is pursuing other things. Today the coffee was great as always however the waffles were cold and seemed to have been on the rack for a bit. Best of luck to Hans! It just won't be the same without him.
(4)
Courtney B.
Poor Customer Service. My Sister bought me a gift card for Arosa for my birthday, knowing we would be in Seattle. When I arrived and tried to redeem the gift card I was told that they have changed owners and can not honor the gift card. They also said to go to the other location (same name, same icon, apparently previously same owners) that they would. So going out of our way, we did. Was given the same story at the other location. Now my Sister's money was taken and no gift card redeemed. It is stealing.
(1)
Peggy R.
Hans, you are a magician. I know I said it about ten times when we were there, but it's so very true. The snack waffles brought me in, the excellent mochas keep me there, and the panini (BTW, that word is hard to spell) will keep me coming back for more. I brought my friend there, because I think that everyone should have a Hans experience on their Bucket List. Oh yes, Hans is the very friendly owner of Arosa, and he makes the whole experience a perfect symphony of taste, service and atmosphere! We ordered the snack waffle, and as I've mentioned previously, these things are to die for, and are worth a special trip and the fight with parking. Even if they aren't fresh off the waffle press, they are still prize-winning. Sweet, the perfect texture and for me, just the right size. But, you don't need syrup for these babies -- they come with all you could ever want in a tasty waffle; baked right in! In addition, we decided to split an artichoke and mozzarella panini - it was my first Hans panini experience, and the sandwich was one of the best I've ever eaten. Splitting it between the two of us was perfect, and Hans brought out our split sandwich out on two plates. This is a small gesture, but I love when establishments do that, because it really makes the experience much better! Oh yes, and I also have to talk about the mocha, because no experience at Arosa is complete without the mocha. We both ordered iced Hans Mochas -- these are sooooo good because of the shaved Swiss chocolate that he painstakingly melts as he steams the milk. I don't necessarily recommend going for the iced if you don't mind tiny chunks of chocolate (I love that, though, and I am definitely an ice queen). I prefer iced over hot drinks no matter where I go. Hans is very sweet and flexible, and will make your drink whichever way you like. In conclusion, I must sing a happy food song. "Arosa, I love love love you, you make my heart happy, and my tastebuds skip a beat! Aro-ro-rosa, you are the cream in my coffee and the su-ooo-gah in my waffle!"
(5)
Benita K.
I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed when I saw the size of the waffles. Really, this thing is the size of my palm. That's not big. And it almost looks like they purposely made them a little smaller than the grill could fit. But considering everyone else in line ordered one, I felt subconscious about ordering two. So I got just one, with an Americano. I sat down and started munching away, sipping my coffee in between bites to savor the toasty, golden, small waffle. Thick. Crispy edges. Soft doughy interior. And just a hint sweet.
(4)
Angie J.
Go for the coffee but stay for the sausage breakfast sandwich. I'm rarely in this area but if I'm close and it's early I'm going to sneak over to grab a bite on my way to meetings.
(5)
Peter D.
Wonderful. I just don't know how else to describe this place. Its a small little sandwich shop and sweet waffle house that makes good coffee. Its like going to your grandparents house. The owner works there and he was really pleasant. I had a turkey panini and for the area it was really reasonably priced. Its tiny so seating is limited but I just really like this place. It just feels like going home. Please visit.
(5)
Carolina S.
This is a total hidden gem! There are Swiss waffles made fresh everyday by the owner. And he also makes an epic hot chocolate. He was a small container with chopped up quality chocolate that is inserted at the bottom of every order. Then mixed to perfection!
(4)
Shawn M.
Very friendly!!! If you want a mocha this is the spot. The waffles were pretty good. I'm more of a latte person and this isn't the spot for that unless you like it way to sweet (that was requesting less than usual sweetener too)
(3)
Anuj K.
As people have mentioned in previous posts, Hanz is a great host and makes great hot chocolate and waffles. I came here in the morning after a night shift and a sweet, crispy yet chewy, waffle with a side of warm hot chocolate was exactly what I needed to put me to sleep during the day. I recommend dipping the waffle in the hot chocolate for some extra fun. There are more than just waffles here, I've seen croissants and scones, and a lunch menu with some tasty sounding sandwiches. But I think the waffle/hot chocolate combo is what's going to bring me back.
(4)
Alice C.
The snack waffles are delicious! The mochas are delicious! And Hans, the owner, is incredibly sweet. I stopped by for the first time today for a waffle and a mocha after an iffy work shift and before class. The smell in this store is... nothing short of amazing. It's delicious and smells like cinnamon, sugar, butter, and coffee. I luckily snagged a freshly made waffle and saw Hans, the proprietor, light up when the woman ordering before me told us her sister had had a baby a couple hours before (and Hans had served her brother in law a few hours earlier). Hans seemed genuinely happy to hear the news, which made me instantly fall in love The waffles are the perfect size and reminded me, surprisingly, of a dense churro: slightly chewy and crispy at the same time, with a slight cinnamon flavor and nice little touches of caramelized sugar from where chunkier sugar pieces came into contact with the waffle iron. I paid just over $6 for a double tall (amazingly delicious and rich) mocha and a (amazingly delicious) waffle, and was the perfect little pick me up before class. The chocolate used for the mochas can also be bought in bags.
(5)
Stanlo S.
I'm really glad I found Arosa Cafe, the waffles are delicious and exactly how I like them. A bit thick, sweet, warm, and crispy.The Fonte coffee is good too. Very quick and friendly service as well. I just wish it was closer to where I lived. One of my new favorite cafes.
(5)
NK S.
Average egg, sausage and cheese panini. I had one from Starbucks across the street yesterday, and it was much better. Latte was average.
(2)
Andrew P.
This place is very good! I've been here many times and I recently ordered a sandwich which was extremely good. It was a little pricey but the place is catered more so for coffee and things of that realm. The woman working there was extremely friendly and asked me about my day and we ended up having a long conversation. I would recommend this place to others!
(5)
Andrea J.
Yelp genius, and extraordinary coworker, Loe B, turned me on to this spot today. I was really quite dubious that waffles, which are so often doughy, bland, soggy, or saccharine, could be tasty enough to warrant being an actual draw; however, I was proven wrong by a lovely Swiss shop-owner--or perhaps by his wife, as he told us that she is the one who makes the dough. These are crispy on the outside, somewhat soft on the inside. I would compare these to the coveted top of a really good muffin. To give you a sense of the crumb, I posted a picture of the last remaining waffle morsel before I had scarfed the whole thing down. The mochas, as many have already noted, are also insanely good. I'm so glad I was acting like a complete hog this morning, and had a double short mocha with whole milk. Fine imported Swiss chocolate (bags of which are sold in the store) and Fonte beans are a perfect pair.
(5)
sarah e.
Cheap, casual, delicious, friendly. This isn't any kind of chain or place to do your business but the food and atmosphere make you feel like you're in an ethnic grandma's kitchen. Go! Your mouth will water for the rest of your life.
(4)
Micah A.
My friend and I were having a "Crepe day" which sounds way more feminine than I'd like it to but in my defense I have never had crepes before so the idea was that I'd eat it at a bunch of different places all at once and see if it blew my mind. In case you're curious: No, it did not. My testosterone is still untarnished. We were sitting in one of the restaurants when across the street we saw a place that said "Arosa - The Waffle Cafe." It took about 3 seconds to decide that there was no way we were going to skip a place that said "Waffle Cafe." Needless to say we were pretty stoked. So much that I'm using the word "stoked." We step inside this small little store and see Hans, the grandfatherly awesome guy behind the counter, talking to some gentleman with a gray beard that went to his knees. Over in the corner, I saw a small plate of some really tiny waffles, and I looked at the menu and there was not one single mention of the types of waffles available for order. It was at that moment I realized that this was a coffee shop that had a waffle available. That was a huge letdown. But whatever. We were already inside and I could use some extra coffee. So I ordered a mocha, my friend ordered a hot cocoa, and we decided to order the "snack waffles" since why not. We went to a waffle bar, might as well try the small, kind of pathetic looking waffles in the corner. Then the following happened. - The mocha was perfect and amazing. - The hot cocoa was rich and delicious. - The snack waffles were outstanding. Ridiculous. This place went from the most exciting part of my day, to a complete letdown, to better than I even expected. Great job all around. So while I wouldn't come here and expect to have any interesting waffles, I can still recommend this place 110%.
(5)
Arick R.
This is a great little coffee kiosk/cafe run by a nice old man, Hans, who has been here 20+ years. The snack waffles are delicious and pair up with any espresso drink. Hans makes them fresh all day long. Their drinks are great too; Hans uses real Swiss chocolate in his mocha so you must try it at least once even if you aren't a mocha drinker. The sandwiches are made fresh to order; in fact he'll slice the cheese just per order. Great little gem on Madison.
(5)
Jess W.
To be honest, I was disappointed. The reviews make this sound like heaven on earth, but the waffle was sweet and only decent - kind of awkwardly dry, and it lacked that warm, fresh bakery feeling - and the hot chocolate was good, but not something I'd write home about. I'm not a mocha drinker, so maybe that's where I went wrong? And the atmosphere of the place is nice and relaxed, but we had to wait a long time for our order to be processed and to be served, despite only ordering a waffle, two drinks and a sandwich. It's almost too easygoing, and the seating is very limited, so we almost ran out of a table. Definitely not bad, but I'm not certain what the hype is about, either. Maybe this was just an off day?
(3)
Christopher S.
I recently moved to Seattle and my office is across the street from this cafe. The highlight of my day is heading over there on break to chat with Hans and have him make me a cup of his signature Swiss chocolate mocha. I had given up on mochas awhile back but Hans has restored my faith in what is arguably the best mocha in town. He scoops a seemingly ridiculous amount of fresh ground Swiss chocolate into his mini cauldron of stumptown coffee and steamed milk so what you end up with is the perfect velvety blend of rich chocolate with a smooth expresso finish. The perfect pairing with this delectable beverage is one of his snack waffles, which is a Belgian Leige waffle, i.e. brioche batter baked with pearl encrusted sugar. Frozen waffles will taste like cardboard once you've sinked your teeth into one of these delightful squares. If you come in at the right time, and they come fresh off the iron, they are truly the cat's pajamas. Heck, if there were 8 waffles on the cooling rack, I would seriously consider ordering 9 just to force Hans make one warm one for me. While there is a trend towards adding toppings to these waffles at other places, Hans' philosophy is "why mess with perfection?" I would compare it to drowning a perfectly seasoned filet mignon with A1 sauce. If I were reincarnated in Switzerland, I would like to have Hans as my grandfather. He remembered my name on my second visit, has a sense of effortless warmth and sincerity, and takes great pride in his products including the panini sandwiches grilled to order which come in turkey, black forest ham, and gruyere with eggplant and roasted artichokes. He also has a wall which includes pictures submitted by his regular customers so you can definitely sense a feeling of community whenever you stop in. Hans is twice retired and has come back for the pure joy of taking care of his customers so don't postpone a trip to check out this local treasure before it's too late.
(5)
Robert C.
Great! Waffles are tasty, coffee was good on my visits. There were a couple customers in front of me but the line moved fairly rapidly, and I got my waffles fresh from the iron. Not really something I would do often but certainly worth going back for.
(5)
Heather O.
I loved this place ... small, quaint, simple ... near our hotel. I almost didn't come here because I was starving, but I'm SO SO happy I did. These waffles are tasty, and my kids loved it. Mochas, waffles, and a chocolate croissant = happy morning with my family. Not open on Sundays. Service was stellar ... thank you to the young lady who was so patient with my girls and myself. You're the best. You made this momma feel at home.
(5)
Lisa O.
I barely have the words. A freshly pressed snack waffle from Hans might, might just be the best thing ever to pass through these lips. For something so seemingly simple, my brain exploded with glee. And paired with his drinking chocolate? If I smoked I might have needed a cigarette after that.
(5)
Shaun O.
Checked out this cafe while out enjoying the weather. The food was great as was the service and friendliness of Audrey and Issabella. The hummus sandwich and the artichoke veggie sandwich were great, and they also gave me a free waffle to try and it was tasty as well. Recommend this if you are looking for some place new to eat.
(5)
Kevin A.
Hans is a gem. The best mocha in the city of latte using Fechlin Swiss Chocolate. The snack waffles are so addicting you could call them crack waffles.
(5)
C M.
THEY ARE NOT CLOSED! I was there yesterday and it was awesome! The waffles are incredible. I've always loved the sandwiches and the espresso is great! Hans was sitting at a table and everyone was chatting. Not to be mean, but if you're expecting a 10x10 waffle with butter and flavored syrup you clearly don't get it. If you want something extra special take home some granola!
(5)
Nancy B.
Hans is the bomb - such a sweet man, who always has a smile on his face. I love the vegetarian paninis, and if you go you MUST get a mocha with the Swiss chocolate. Incredible.
(5)
Nick D.
Arosa cafe has great mocca. Its a tiny friendly cafe we visit whenever in Seattle. Waffles and pastries are good. Smooth Swiss chocolate in the drinks and a friendly warm natured 'Hans' owns and runds the place. Last mocca I had like this was in Switzerland. Don't miss this place if you're a hot chocolate or mocca lover. I heard he sold.
(4)
Loe B.
I have Hans to thank for winning over my shark of a boss (she's one tough MD to please..is it weird that i admire that?). I introduced her to the soy mochas and Im pretty sure she makes the trek up from clinic to Hans almost everyday. Why is it so good you ask? B/c Hans ships chocolate all the way from Switzerland on the backs of St. Bernarnds..he then shaves it (the chocolate not the dog) and adds it to Fonte espresso and steamed milk (soy if you please). YUM IN MY TUM 1/1 doctor recommended =)
(5)
Meghann M.
Drank a hot chocolate here this morning, and wow!! supremely delicious. Made from swiss chocolate, imported directly from Switzerland (according to Hans, the very friendly Swiss gent who runs this lovely little establishment). Definitely one of the best hot chocolates I've had. Hans says mocha and hot chocolate are 99% of his business, so clearly he know what he's doing there. He also knows how to make a damn good waffle! On previous visits I've thoroughly enjoyed the snack size waffles - best when still warm from the oven. They are WAY good: crispy on the outside with a carmelized sweetness that is just right and not overly sugary.
(4)
Chelsy C.
A great gathering place for people who demand a superior espresso or mocha. I am all about Hans' focaccia sandwiches too, my current favorite is the Gruyere. I'm not normally a huge fan of Belgian waffles, but at the Arosa, they are superb! Well worth a stop in here. Support a man, not a corporation!
(5)
Bob R.
You know it's a newbie customer at Arosa when you overhear them say "Can I get some syrup for my waffle?" Or even better, if they order two! Hans, the shop's grandfatherly Swiss proprietor, will gently nudge them to try a bite unadorned- and start with one waffle. This is because Arosa waffles- the batter lovingly mixed by Hans' wife at home and then made fresh on the premesis- need no added sweeteners. They are sweet, crispy and undoubtedly hearty eatin'. And there is no better way to wash one down than with a hand shaved Swiss chocolate Mocha. Oooh.. just writing about this place is getting my mouth watering. I think I'm going to have to put my pen down and head over there right now..
(5)
Anh Thuy V.
I stopped by for the first time to try out their waffles based on the reviews and I hate to say it, but I was a little disappointed. The waffles were left out on a rack for a while so it was cold and hard. It was decent, but it probably would've tasted a lot better if it was fresh. I guess the previous owner of this place sold it to open up a chocolate shop some place else. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll come back for their waffles.
(3)
Neal C.
I work across the street from Arosa Cafe and stop in a couple times a week at least. I walk right by a Starbucks on the way but choose this place for a couple of reasons. Hans is friendly but doesn't over do it. And he makes a good latte. Apparently he's getting his own roast from Fonte and it's pretty tasty. I also had a famous waffle one time; I didn't go crazy over it, but it was pretty good. I plan to keep coming back because I like the service, the environment, and the coffee.
I love Hans, he is so sweet and makes a tasty panini and italian soda. When I was there with some co-workers for the first time I understood why they talked it up so much. Their snack waffles are also insane good, and they have San Pellegrino in cans, which I love. Cute, unexpected and delicious.
(5)
David L.
Just imagine if Hans and Frans went into business :-)
(5)
Jeff T.
I'm not a fan of mochas but the waffles are delicious! Waffles = donuts
(4)
Alex K.
From what I've gathered from the other reviews in contrast to my experience, I have a little piece of advice: if you're going there for coffee, get the mocha. Otherwise, it's just not worth it. I have some high standards when it comes to coffee, which has been only encouraged by some of the stellar places I've been to in Seattle. In the course of my experiences, I've discovered a kind of litmus test for coffee drinks. If the coffee is really good and the barista is skilled, you don't need any fancy syrups or chocolate to have a delicious latte. Espresso & steamed milk can be amazing on it's own, with the right ingredients and in the right hands... Not so at Arosa. Now, the guy (I assume Hans) was super-nice, and talkative in the right kind of way, and there were little waffles that looked pretty tasty (in the downright-bad-for-you way), and I noticed a plastic bin next to the espresso maker with shaved chocolate, which I presume is what he uses to make his mochas. From the ads around, it looks like it's swiss chocolate, and I'm sure it's amazing. But my soy latte was...ok...it felt a little watered down, and just didn't taste as amazing as I was hoping. Maybe I had higher expectations, in part because of the reviews, maybe I ordered the wrong thing... but it's a nice little place, especially since I work just across the street, but the hours are not the most convenient...it took me a month of thinking "Oh, I should check that place out" before I finally was able to get time while he was open to grab some coffee... maybe I'll go back and try the mocha, see what all the fuss is about.
(2)
Diana N.
I don't know what is my favorite part about Arosa... the mocha, the waffles, or Hans. Each of them make me feel all warm and fuzzy and would encourage me to come back. The three combined make the winning trifecta that is Arosa Cafe. Hans is the friendly owner who makes you feel at home as soon as you come into his shop. He treats everyone who comes in with warmth and hospitality- from the regulars to the first-timers like myself. Another great thing about Hans is that he is Swiss, and the Swiss know their chocolate. The mochas at Arosa are amazing! He uses Swiss chocolate melted into the milk to make a creamy, amazing drink that has the perfect ratio of sweet to bitter. So many mochas can double as desserts because they are so syrupy sweet. Not the mochas at Arosa. If you go to Arosa, you HAVE to get a waffle. No excuses. These are the best waffles I've ever eaten. They are crisp on the outside, a little crunchy where the demerara sugar has crystallized from baking, soft and moist on the inside, and have the perfect amount of spice to complement your coffee. Delish! It is easy to walk by this place and not see it, but if you're in the neighborhood, definitely make a point to stop by. You won't regret it!
(5)
Adam B.
Very high quality turkey panini sandwich. The mocha is excellent as well. Limited menu but fresh and enjoyable.
(4)
Meredith K.
HANS IS BACK! He spent about a year in retirement, then bought his business back because he missed his customers so much. He even has a sign: "Under Old Management." Yay!
(5)
Brent E.
This quaint little place owned and operated by a kind gentleman (Hans Riechsteiner) is a delight. The made-to-order paninis accompanied by "snack waffles" that are sweetened to please are a refreshing break from the rest of the fast food located nearby. I did a panini sandwich, snack waffle, and Thomas Kemper root beer for around $11. I'll likely be back for a sandwich and the occasional waffle. Side note; if you eat in at the cafe, you may leave with the smell of paninis and other grilled / fried goodies on your clothes. It's not overwhelming, but if you're headed to a meeting and don't want to smell like an elephant ear, take your sandwich to go.
(4)
Ellen C.
I rarely get up to First Hill, and when I do it's usually to take my daughter to the pediatrician. This week, after her 18 month immunizations, she walked me straight to Arosa (it's a block away), opened the door, and pointed to the waffles. And she's right, Arosa waffles, hot chocolate and Hans remembering your name does make everything all better again. Seriously, this place is perfection: Hans makes his own pesto, the waffles are fresh and incredible, the hot chocolate and mochas are to die for, and Hans and the regulars make you feel right at home as soon as you walk in.
(5)
Lisa E.
Since I live in West Seattle, I don't get up to First Hill very often. In fact, it seems like the only time I'm on Madison in First Hill is when I am going to the doctor. What makes my trips worthwhile is knowing that I can stop at Arosa and order a mocha and one of those awesome waffles. I am typically not a mocha person, but I do indulge when I am there. I had originally heard about this place from another mom who would stop there after her baby's doctor appointments, so I started doing that, too. Such a nice treat, and Michelle is truly kind. My daughter loves the waffles!
(5)
Joni K.
Love the snack waffles! Completely scrumptous!! Best coffee on the street.
(4)
Jennifer A.
The best mocha in Seattle. OMG. The waffles, so so good. Hans is just precious! I love Arosa.
(5)
Michelle T.
I didn't know the combination of milk, chocolate and espresso could taste so good. I think we taste Hans' love in each drink. How great it is that he remembers us too! I always skip the starbucks and cross the street for this place.
(5)
Jason L.
If you like real coffee and you work or live in First Hill, don't miss this place. Hans serves quality espresso and even has top-notch gourmet chocolate to make mochas with. His waffles are especially delicious. They are light enough to eat on the go, but good enough to enjoy as a dessert. Without question, they are a rare, handmade treat in a coffee and donuts world.
(3)
Wendy B.
Hans is warm, friendly and will fill you up with his waffles, coffee and sandwiches. He sells Swiss chocolate that is fantastic. I love going to his place whenever I can. It's a little slice of heaven!
(5)
Julian H.
4.5 stars is about right. Friendly service, decent prices and good lattes. This location is a little short on seating. The snack waffles look tempting. The latte tasted like sweet warm milk, which is better than bitter but when you want a coffee drink it's nice to taste the coffee. Next time I'll order a double, or a mocha, which appears to be the house specialty.
(4)
Joe J.
Hans is the best. Besides Dutch Bros. out of Oregon and Cafe Fiore in Seattle, this is one of my favorite coffee shops and if I am ever near there, even if I've already had coffee. I stop in and say Hi and grab a tall mocha (with that amazing belgian chocolate) and a Waffle...sweet stuff!!
(5)
Allie W.
Delightful little spot that we almost walked right by, as it is very nondescript. The soy mocha was delicious - I am hard-pressed to recall one I have enjoyed more! Snack waffles. Being a newbie, I looked around for different varieties, toppings, etc...nope, just the one offering of something called a "snack waffle". I'm game, let's try it. Yum! Crispy on the outside, slightly chewy on the inside, delicately sweetened and spiced (I detected a hint of cinnamon). Delicious. Don't be fooled by their small size; one waffle is filling! It was a pleasure watching the owner, Hans, interact with the other customers too, most of which seem to be on a first name basis with him. He is clearly loved by his regular clientele. Love that.
(4)
Lynne M.
I always go here for a waffle and a mocha when I finish a major project. The waffles are sublime - light and delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness - and the Swiss-chocolate mochas are so rich and to die for. Hans, the owner, is a wonderful person, and is always engaged and interested in his customers. I haven't tried anything else, but the paninis really look very tasty. On a side note, the last time I showed up, I'd been caught in a downpour and looked like it. Hans was deeply concerned, handed me a stack of napkins, and went to find an unclaimed umbrella in the Lost and Found, thus saving me from another drenching (or shelling out $10.00 for a cheap umbrella). He didn't even seem to mind that I was dripping all over his immaculate floor. Now THAT'S customer service! (I'm donating the umbrella to charity in Hans' name and will bring him the receipt ;))
(5)
Cynthia H.
More than 4 years after I wrote my first review, I still love this place and stand by my statement that it's the best Mocha in Seattle. I wouldln't be surprised if it's the best Mocha anywhere! Whenever I have a doctor's appointment on First Hill, I treat myself to a visit with Hans and a chewy delicious waffle alongside the perfect mocha. I wish I were there now...I love this place.
(5)
Dan F.
Expected a full restaurant, but were satisfied with eating several "snack waffles" as our breakfast. It was funny to see all the hipsters come in and talk to Hans like he was their best friend. These were so good, we keep looking for recipes online to find ones this good.
(4)
Jennifer S.
Read all the hype, but I actually liked Sweet Iron Waffles downtown much better.
(3)
Audrey M.
The Mocha's and hot chocolates are the best in the world. It is really the only thing I get there so I can't speak for the food though the one time I tried the ready to go waffles they were sweet and delicious. The guy who runs it is so nice. I hadn't been in almost 2 years and I went last week and he remembered me! He shaves blocks of Swiss chocolate and melts them into the milk to make the hot chocolates or the mocha's. It is fun to watch him make it while he explains all about how Swiss chocolate is THE best chocolate, you get to talk to a nice owner who cares that you are there AND you get the best mocha in the whole world. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
(5)
Katie A.
Yesiree! As good as a snack waffle gets. And as good as a mocha gets. And pleasant conversation too. Life is always better after visiting Hans.
(5)
Cliff C.
Best mocha I've had, probably ever. Had a waffle too... Come in and try one. There's a Starbucks across the street, wonder if the people in and out of there have tried this place.... My guess is NO otherwise they'd be in and out of here! :p
(5)
Jill S.
I've worked up on First Hill for 4+ months and today was my first visit to Arosa. The soy mocha was as good as I expected based on everyone else's comments. The place was smaller than I expected, but it semlled lovely and I had to exert major self-discipline to pass on the waffle--but I am definitely going to go back for one on another day. The best quality of this place is Hans--he is friendly and treats new people (me) like someone he's known for years. Plus, I found out he's a fellow-Capricorn. Even if the mocha were average, I'd go back just to chat with Hans. He is a sweetheart and I overheard some of his conversations with people stopping in before or after their appointments at Swedish, and he seemed to know what to say to give these people comfort and hope.
(4)
Eric P.
Try the artichoke / mozzarella sandwich. Great coffee, great waffles.
(5)
Jenna l.
Hans, please be my adopted grandpa. We both are swiss, and both love chocolate. Seriously. Come in and have a nice chat with Hans and he'll tell you his life story. That book over there on the book shelf, it looks like it has scenic photos of Switzerland, well his family's farm and where he grew up is right in there. He will go on and on about how terrible Hershey's chocolate is, and I couldn't agree more. Grab a mocha, hot chocolate, panini, and maybe waffle if you can fit it. I would come here every Saturday after my morning class (i know, class on Saturday morning is a college student's nightmare), and Hans made a point to learn my name. There ought to be more places like Arosa Cafe in this world.
(5)
Traci M.
Everything here is so good! As everyone else mentions, the Swiss chocolate in the mochas/hot chocolates make a huge difference. The snack waffles, croissants, and sandwiches are all really good as well. The best part is Hans himself, he truly takes an interest in his customers and it's amazing how many names and personal details he can remember about each person!
(5)
Tim K.
I'm lucky enough to live very close to this place so I hit it up pretty often for a delicious morning waffle. Hans, the owner, is the sheeeet. Love that guy, but you don't need to order coffee from him. Maybe if I wasn't in Seattle, I would, but with so many better options I'll pass next time.
(4)
Lani A.
I frequent the Madison Park location more often than this one, but I prefer to go to this one. The owner, Hans, is charming and delightful, and an excellent conversation partner while he rings up your order. The waffles are great, too - crunchy with pearl sugar, although not to sweet, and redolent with butter and cinnamon. They taste European to me. A couple of chairs makes it an easy place to relax while you eat your waffle. Get the mocha if you like them - he adds real chocolate shavings!
(4)
Bonnie H.
I pay frequent visits to this place for a lunch panini sandwich and some coffee. The owner Hans is very nice and friendly. Most customers seem to be his friends. I like the coffee there, better than some other chains. I've noticed many people like to order mocha or hot chocolate, for Hans uses a special kind of chocolate from Switzerland, creamy and thick unlike other sugary/watery chocolate. Hans also makes unique waffles, 1.50 for each. The sugar within the waffle comes from Switzerland, too. My favorite is his panini sandwiches, especially the vegetarian one--with eggplants, artichokes and cheese in it! They are huge and can possibly fill you up for six hours. Stop by to enjoy nice coffee and a sandwich/waffle. Conversations in the store can also bring you a brief relaxing break from your busy day.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Nate B.
Best Mocha and waffle in town. Any time we are at Swedish Hospital this is our treat.
(5)Eric W.
I wanted something more than a chain coffee shop has to offer, so I decided to stop in while waiting for a doctors appointment- WOW! The hand crafted pastries taste hand crafted... Quality ingredients, wonderful texture, etc. show through in every bite. I indicated that I have an appreciation for specialty coffees and the owner very warmly shared info about the coffee I had ordered, the roasters, and the reason she chose that roast. She gave my partner and I mocha samples which were AMAZING! (She uses real Swiss chocolate wafers in her mochas)... I cannot wait to return on my next visit!
(5)Laura T.
We walked in while walking aimlessly around Swedish. Truth be told, we had an aim: to get lunch. Yelp didn't recommend us Arosa Cafe for lunch though and the places recommended weren't open at 11am so walking into this tiny coffeshop was a risk. The cafe has an intimate feel but that's not what makes the experience 5 stars. The service is outstanding, Isabella went out of her way to make us feel welcome and got us to taste some chair (we ended up buying the bottles to make our own at home). She served the scrumptious sandwiches with nice glasses of water and neatly folded napkins and shiny cutlery. My sandwich had black forest ham, artichoke hearts, mozzarella cheese and a pesto that was not too overpowering yet savory (turns out it's imported so the food snob in me would say of course that's why it was good). Overall, I get the feeling that the ingredients used are high quality and the edibles are prepared with love. I want to go back and leave a proper tip since this time I was out of change.
(5)Candi K.
I am so glad I came here. I was at Swedish and wanted a snack and I went on Yelp and found this place. The owner was working and wow, she is so kind and friendly. I know they were known for their waffle and got the dark and white chocolate waffle. Amazing! I would of gotten a coffee if I didn't have one 30 mins before. She was making some iced coffee and let me have a small bit of it. It was good, sweetened with agave which is nice. We were talking about coffee and Seattle stuff. She really cares about having the best quality ingredients there is. I am willing to pay a little more for better quality. I will come back again when I'm near by.
(5)Ren G.
Waffle, what have they done to you!? I'm still mourning this experience because they killed every beautiful notion I'd ever had of a traditional Belgian waffle. I came in on a Saturday afternoon. The lady at the counter politely offered me a menu. As I poured over it, I thought I must be mistaken because there was no waffle section. And then I realized, the waffle section had been purposefully blacked out. What the hell? I though in anguish. The only waffles in the place were something called "snack waffles" in the pastry case. I should've walked out right then and there, but instead, I decided, hey, I have a lot of dollars. I can afford to throw seven of them away on inedible food. The waffle I received was like chewing slightly warm multigrain bread with a mild hint of cinnamon. It was so thick, if you took the batter it came from, I'm sure you could use it for spackle. It was warm, which was more than I expected, but it was absolutely dry, flavorless, and inedible. As my boyfriend and I walked away, we seriously considered giving it to the pigeons downtown. The latte I ordered to wash it down faired no better. I'm not actually even certain of what it tasted like since five minutes after leaving the store when I took my first sip of it, it was still so hot it singed my tongue. Like, epic volcano hot. Hotter than any latte I have ever taken a sip of. I'm giving this experience two stars rather than one because the service was fine and the place was clean. But will I be back? Hahaha.
(2)Valerie W.
Real Swiss Chocolate Hazelnut Milk Mocha w/Mint syrup....are ya kidding me!? As I had never been in before the gal made some suggestions...and great ones at that noting their mochas were indeed some of the best. I first opted for Almond milk but she told me to try the hazelnut. Boy oh boy was I in for a treat. Now I'm usually one for just straight up coffee, no milk, or any of that mumbo-jumbo..but this...THIS drink was flipping phenomenal. After one sip I was in heaven. It literally tasted like dessert in my mouth. $4.65 very, very well spent. I highly recommend coming here. The place is small and quaint, but tons of goody options and waffles! I will most certainly be back.
(5)Inness P.
I've passed by Arosa so many times and I've always been curious, so when I finally got the chance to try one of their waffles, I jumped on it. It was about 10:15 on a Saturday morning, and that part of Madison was pretty dead. There were three people there when I arrived and they seemed to be regulars. The one person working there was chatting with them but got up immediately to help me when I entered. I asked to look at the menu, expecting that a place that boasts Belgian snack waffles would have a dedicated waffle section. Not so! There were snack waffles in the pastry case and it looked like I could choose from a couple of toppings. I asked for Nutella and banana; she didn't have banana, but she suggested whipped cream powdered with shaved chocolate, and I agreed. It cost about $6.00 all together. The waffle was room temperature and very dry. I didn't hate it, but neither was I wowed. I nibbled on it for half an hour or so; the Nutella and whipped cream together were very rich and I wished for some fruit to balance it out. The nice lady brought a little sample of chai latte to my table and I enjoyed that much more. The space is very cozy, clean, and warm on a winter's morning. The person who worked there was very pleasant. But I probably won't be back - parking is a hassle around there, and the waffles just aren't worth it to me.
(3)Alice C.
What a wonderful little coffee shop! I came to Arosa to kill an hour while waiting for my friend to get done with a meeting at Virginia Mason. The owner/barista was incredibly nice and welcoming, and the mocha I ordered was rich and creamy (and made with authentic Swiss chocolate!!!). It's an intimate little space and very adorable. Will probably return next time I'm in the area.
(5)Melissa M.
Tried to check it out, but it was closed in the middle of the day?
(1)Rachel F.
I loved their panini's and cocoa, made from chocolate shavings. However, I went by there today for lunch and it is closed down! So sad!
(4)Kristen N.
Don't be fooled by its outwards appearance, and for God's sake do NOT make the mistake of going across the street to Starbucks. This little hidden gem is the perfect place to grab an authentic swiss chocolate mocha (get the dark chocolate, trust me), and a bite to eat. Breakfast or lunch sandwiches (option for Gluten-free bread from local baker, Fran's bakery--amazing), or treat your sweet tooth to a waffle. A simple menu with incredible tastes.
(5)Daniel W.
I do enjoy the mocha made with authentic swiss chocolate. The snack waffles are also delicious, just make sure they heat it up for you! The reason however that I am giving this a four star review is due to the fact that they seem to be often under staffed at peak morning hours. This has resulted in missed orders, miscommunication, and long waits for something that should have taken a few minutes. I was once completely skipped in line by the lady making the drinks. Overall, I love supporting small business, and this one has something going for it in a world of coffee mega-chains. I will return.
(4)Peder B.
Amazing service! The owner was so nice, she was busy because a bunch of customers showed up at once, but she made time to talk to us, made us complimentary swiss hot chocolates and treated us like royalty. The sandwiches hit the spot too! She has a quote "may all who enter as guests, leave as friends" written on her counter and it is absolutely true. Not many places live up to this kind of service standard.
(5)Jordan O.
Service is incredible, food is beyond amazing and the waffles are out of this world. By far the best waffles I have ever had in my life. So completely different from any place I have been and I would definitely come back every time I'm back in Seattle.
(5)Amy M.
Overpriced (seriously, $2.75 for a drip coffee that it cost maybe 30 cents to actually make?), average quality (it tasted like it had been sitting there for a while), and the barista was pretty rude. I brought in my personal/to-go cup (because, you know, it's Seattle and we like saving the environment), and she asked how much coffee it was ... I told her 16 oz, and she felt the need to fill a paper cup with water to check the volume, just so, you know, I didn't get an extra ounce and a half of coffee for free or something like that. I just wanted coffee, not your attitude.
(2)Alec W.
As everyone else has said, the mocha is excellent, as are the snack waffles. But the woman working there is incredibly nice and generous too. She gave me a second snack waffle for free because she forgot to give me the one I ordered after it was done toasting (she was busy serving other customers so I didn't mind or make a fuss, but she insisted on giving me a second one). Another customer ordered a 12oz chai and she accidentally made too much so she gave him the extra for free (customer said he was fighting a cold, I don't think it was an accident that she made extra). Overall she was just a sweetheart, which is what makes visiting little cafes like this such an enjoyable experience. Highly recommend if you're in the area!
(5)Lynda J.
Such a cute friendly little cafe! I recently started goîng regularly on Sunday's. The worker us friendly and relaxed. The mocha's are to die for and the breakfast Sammie and panini are wonderful as well. Can highly recommend.
(5)Tiara A.
The first time I came here I ordered a Chai Tea and they really took their time time with making it. I only go to one place for a Chai Tea because all other place usually taste watered down. I have now made this my second place to get Chai Tea from. The waitress suggested have spicy, half regular and it was a perfect combination. They're small but private and relaxing. Breakfast sandwiches are made with real eggs and it tastes soooo good. Cheese all the way melted and meat cooked separately and not just heated up in the microwave somewhere. It really tastes like a sandwich I made from home. Baristas are really nice and I always have a pleasant experience when I go there.
(4)Sonya B.
Very sweet place! Seems very close to heart. Isabel is very nice lady. It was our first time and she gave us many samples and had us try different things. I will be coming here instead of Starbucks across the street. Must try!!! :)
(5)Sarah J.
I am so disappointed with my latest trip to Arosa. My daughter and I have been coming here on and off for years, and were huge fans of the delicious, handmade waffles. Hans, the affable Austrian owner, was always sweet and friendly, and made us feel welcome and appreciated from the first time we walked through his door. I was incredibly saddened to learn that Hans had sold the business in order to pursue a new venture, but hopeful that he had passed on his recipes and know-how to the new owners. Alas. The waffles looked the same, but were bland and undercooked. The inside of my daughter's waffle was actually raw. After taking five steps out the door and one bite of the waffle, we headed back in to ask that it be cooked thoroughly. The two young girls working there seemed dismissive, and not at all concerned. They gave us another waffle, and we left. Again, raw dough. We ended up tossing it in the trash, and chalking the $3+ up as a loss. I will not return to Arosa. Its sad that the new owners have taken Hans' delicious waffles and turned them into inedible mush...and that their employees don't even seem to care. I should add that the new employees advised us to wait 5 minutes to eat the second waffle, allowing it time to "cook" thoroughly. We waited the 5 min. Still raw.
(2)Kyle S.
~Good, but not quite the same~ It has been a while since I have made it in to Cafe Arosa. I was in my office and had a hankerin for a wafle and some banter with Hans.......super sad times. I knew something was up when I saw all the new treats and the furniture. As regulars know Hans sold the business to open a chocolate shop down in Madison Park. I am happy for Hans and excited to go to his shop, but sad he is gone. I was happy that they still had waffles but then sad agaiin when I tried one. Not the same at all. They have been heavily "Americanized" in a 'more is better' kind of way. The originals were subtle, malty and sweet. These ones reminded me of the episode wher Homer Simpson went to Carnival in Brazil. "mmmmmmm, sweet....Sweet....SWEET.....SWEEEEET!!" They had pea sized chuncks of sugar all the way through. A bit much and probably about 1-1.5 tablespoons worth in sugar chunks alone. Not bad...just not the same and a bit too much leaving me with a bit of an stomach ache. And Im a certified candy monster. It was more Top Pot doughnut sweet. If you are in the mood for that then they are awesome. The breakfast sandwich was very good though. And the girl who helped me was very nice.
(3)T R.
I go to this place just about every day. The food is great, the service is great and I don't have any complaints. If you are not happy with the food or drink you purchased they are more than happy to re make it or get you something else.
(5)Kristen M.
Excellent little cafe! First time in Seattle, used Yelp to find a place for breakfast close to our hotel. The minute we walked in, the owner was friendly and polite, asking if it was our first time here. She told us they are know for their Mochas (very true! I had the cafe mocha) because they use Swiss chocolate. She then brought us chocolate samples to try! We also ordered the paninis which were delish and not too heavy. Another customer raved about the snack waffles.. so we may be back again to try those! This cafe is very quaint and homey-feeling. Great atmosphere, very welcoming. Excellent choice for our first meal in Seattle! Would come again
(5)Sharon K.
What a hidden gem! I was in the area for an appointment and I wanted to grab a quick lunch before heading to work. I remember reading good reviews about Arosa Cafe, so I decided to check it out. Instantly, i was greeted at the door by Isabella, the owner who was extremely friendly. I ordered a caprese sandwich, which was slightly small, but very delicious. The highlight of the visit was the customer service. Isabella was very accommodating and friendly. She even gave me a free drink because she made too much for the previous customer. Normally, cafes just toss it out, so it was a pleasant surprise. While waiting for my sandwich, she asked how my day was and also told me about the cafe. It was a great experience. I am definitely coming back and would recommend anyone who is on the edge of visiting!
(5)Roshni N.
The dark hot chocolate was one of the best I've ever had! I also tried the caprese panini and just fell in love with the place. The food + customer service made this a five star. I plan to go again and recommend to my friends :-)
(5)Megan T.
Very impressed with the sandwiches! I got the gruyere and tomato panini. It was amazingly delicious and perfectly balanced with flavor. The panini had a little olive oil dripping, but nothing an extra napkin can't clean up. On top of the delicious sandwich, they gave me a small raisin pastry to go with the sandwich. Quite the deal for $7.25. I also ordered a spicy chai tea, which again had a great balance, but still a little kick to it. I will definitely plan to be back. They also added new patio seating. Can't wait until the summer to sit outside and enjoy some of their food.
(5)Donna E.
The woman who runs the cafe is very sweet, she gave us samples of the real Swiss chocolate she uses in her mochas-- and it was the best mocha I've ever had. That's saying something. The breakfast panini and snack waffle were good as well, but if you go, the mocha is a must-have. We also got to sample the iced coffee, which is surprisingly and delightfully strong.
(5)Peter C.
The former owner Hans doesn't run this place anymore. It's sad; I really enjoyed Arosa when he did. The new owner has cluttered the shop with all kinds of miscellaneous candy. The space is already small, and now the counter is taken up with a cornucopia of colored wrappers and price signs. Not cool. The new owner also thinks that 2 shots isn't standard in an Americano. I've happily paid 3.50+tax for an americano before, but it was at fancy hotels, not at the place right outside my bus stop. The only saving grace is that I don't think she's running her business very well and we'll have a new owner soon enough.
(1)Deborah D.
Well well well.... I went back since my last review and it was good. Today, I went again and see another new girl. The owner is trying to expand the business but didn't do well on quality control. I think the their mocha is the best in town, but today, it's like cocoa hot water. Sign!! I'm disappointed.
(1)Jaime T.
Visiting from Portland and a friend recommended this plate for the pure chocolate used in their drinks. The mocha is very rich and delicious. Add some cinnamon and nutmeg on top for more flavor. Reasonably priced and friendly service.
(4)Jeff A.
One of the best cafés in seattle. Sat down here for a latte and was treated to an awesome conversation with the owner Isabelle and the barista Aubrey. They were super nice and offered samples of various coffee drinks and chocolate that Isabelle imports from all over the world. Everything was delicious. If you go you have to try the mocha.
(5)Elizabeth J.
Service was great! Coffee was great! Sandwiches were fantastic! The turkey, pesto, and cheese panini was sooooo good. I also enjoyed the fig and mozzarella. Thank you for the great time!
(5)Daren D.
Just 2 words: warm & charming. The food is good! My roasted turkey panini was enjoyable and that snack waffle... O thy snack waffle! Omnomnomnomnomnomnom... the chai is lovely, too. Grandpa* Hans is a sweet fella and super cool. I asked him if the picture of a Model A Coupe on the wall was his, and upon him saying no, he went on about some car story. It was neat. I believe he retired in '92, only to open a coffee shop... loving to work 20 YEARS---after retiring? Holy smokes! :-) *I didn't call him that, but I wouldn't mind doing so if it was ok with him.
(5)Courtney C.
This is by far my most favorite place to stop for coffee and a snack waffle! The staff has always been friendly and remember their loyal customers. If you're a chocolate lover; you've got to get the cafe mocha, they use fresh Swiss chocolate to make it. Yum! And the European snack waffle is just the best, definitely grab one!
(5)Bethany V.
Awesome customer service! So generous and nice! My mom is Gluten and Dairy free and they were so understanding! They even had gluten free bread available and offered to make any panini and sandwich for her without cheese! They also said they have milk substitutes for coffees available. The snack waffles they are know for are just as amazing as the service!! Ambiance and atmosphere is so calm, quiet, and relaxing. Would come back here in a heartbeat!
(5)Steven F.
Get a snack waffle and a double-shot 12oz mocha. I've found (after much experimenting) that the 12oz with two shots of espresso is the perfect balance of coffee and chocolate. The 8oz is too sweet with one shot and too bitter with two. Your mileage may vary. The mochas are delicious, made with melted down Swiss chocolate, and pair well with waffles. The waffles are great. It's probably a bad thing to say they remind me of Cinnamon French toast Eggo waffles, but hey, I love those things, and these are bigger. They're Belgian waffle squares that are ironed with visible CHUNKS of sugar and some sort of sugar-cinnamon glaze, as far as I can tell. Very tasty. If they offer to warm one up for you, ask them to not put the napkin in the to-go bag. It sticks to the waffle terribly. They have other stuff here, too - a rotating selection of pastries (only had the chocolate croissants, and they're fine), and paninis and other drinks. They recently added a gelato machine, but I haven't had the pleasure yet. I'm sure they're all great, but really... one waffle and one double-shot 12oz mocha.
(5)Wennie H.
I love Arosa. The waffles are simple and delicious. The cute old man paints on a sugar coating that makes the waffles crunchy and just the right amount of sweet. It's not an overwhelming sweet, it's literally perfect. I always feel like I can eat 3-4 but by number 2 I know I've reached the "good" point. I had a mocha here once and it was a little too bitter for me...so I only come for the waffles now.
(4)Kat B.
Excellent Chai Tea and the waffles were yummy...very dense, crusty and not overly sweet. (Not the airy Belgian type). Atmosphere was very pleasant but pretty small.
(4)Nick T.
Sign still says Arosa Cafe however Hans has sold it to "Franky and Doms". Sad to see hans go but I am happy to hear he is pursuing other things. Today the coffee was great as always however the waffles were cold and seemed to have been on the rack for a bit. Best of luck to Hans! It just won't be the same without him.
(4)Courtney B.
Poor Customer Service. My Sister bought me a gift card for Arosa for my birthday, knowing we would be in Seattle. When I arrived and tried to redeem the gift card I was told that they have changed owners and can not honor the gift card. They also said to go to the other location (same name, same icon, apparently previously same owners) that they would. So going out of our way, we did. Was given the same story at the other location. Now my Sister's money was taken and no gift card redeemed. It is stealing.
(1)Peggy R.
Hans, you are a magician. I know I said it about ten times when we were there, but it's so very true. The snack waffles brought me in, the excellent mochas keep me there, and the panini (BTW, that word is hard to spell) will keep me coming back for more. I brought my friend there, because I think that everyone should have a Hans experience on their Bucket List. Oh yes, Hans is the very friendly owner of Arosa, and he makes the whole experience a perfect symphony of taste, service and atmosphere! We ordered the snack waffle, and as I've mentioned previously, these things are to die for, and are worth a special trip and the fight with parking. Even if they aren't fresh off the waffle press, they are still prize-winning. Sweet, the perfect texture and for me, just the right size. But, you don't need syrup for these babies -- they come with all you could ever want in a tasty waffle; baked right in! In addition, we decided to split an artichoke and mozzarella panini - it was my first Hans panini experience, and the sandwich was one of the best I've ever eaten. Splitting it between the two of us was perfect, and Hans brought out our split sandwich out on two plates. This is a small gesture, but I love when establishments do that, because it really makes the experience much better! Oh yes, and I also have to talk about the mocha, because no experience at Arosa is complete without the mocha. We both ordered iced Hans Mochas -- these are sooooo good because of the shaved Swiss chocolate that he painstakingly melts as he steams the milk. I don't necessarily recommend going for the iced if you don't mind tiny chunks of chocolate (I love that, though, and I am definitely an ice queen). I prefer iced over hot drinks no matter where I go. Hans is very sweet and flexible, and will make your drink whichever way you like. In conclusion, I must sing a happy food song. "Arosa, I love love love you, you make my heart happy, and my tastebuds skip a beat! Aro-ro-rosa, you are the cream in my coffee and the su-ooo-gah in my waffle!"
(5)Benita K.
I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed when I saw the size of the waffles. Really, this thing is the size of my palm. That's not big. And it almost looks like they purposely made them a little smaller than the grill could fit. But considering everyone else in line ordered one, I felt subconscious about ordering two. So I got just one, with an Americano. I sat down and started munching away, sipping my coffee in between bites to savor the toasty, golden, small waffle. Thick. Crispy edges. Soft doughy interior. And just a hint sweet.
(4)Angie J.
Go for the coffee but stay for the sausage breakfast sandwich. I'm rarely in this area but if I'm close and it's early I'm going to sneak over to grab a bite on my way to meetings.
(5)Peter D.
Wonderful. I just don't know how else to describe this place. Its a small little sandwich shop and sweet waffle house that makes good coffee. Its like going to your grandparents house. The owner works there and he was really pleasant. I had a turkey panini and for the area it was really reasonably priced. Its tiny so seating is limited but I just really like this place. It just feels like going home. Please visit.
(5)Carolina S.
This is a total hidden gem! There are Swiss waffles made fresh everyday by the owner. And he also makes an epic hot chocolate. He was a small container with chopped up quality chocolate that is inserted at the bottom of every order. Then mixed to perfection!
(4)Shawn M.
Very friendly!!! If you want a mocha this is the spot. The waffles were pretty good. I'm more of a latte person and this isn't the spot for that unless you like it way to sweet (that was requesting less than usual sweetener too)
(3)Anuj K.
As people have mentioned in previous posts, Hanz is a great host and makes great hot chocolate and waffles. I came here in the morning after a night shift and a sweet, crispy yet chewy, waffle with a side of warm hot chocolate was exactly what I needed to put me to sleep during the day. I recommend dipping the waffle in the hot chocolate for some extra fun. There are more than just waffles here, I've seen croissants and scones, and a lunch menu with some tasty sounding sandwiches. But I think the waffle/hot chocolate combo is what's going to bring me back.
(4)Alice C.
The snack waffles are delicious! The mochas are delicious! And Hans, the owner, is incredibly sweet. I stopped by for the first time today for a waffle and a mocha after an iffy work shift and before class. The smell in this store is... nothing short of amazing. It's delicious and smells like cinnamon, sugar, butter, and coffee. I luckily snagged a freshly made waffle and saw Hans, the proprietor, light up when the woman ordering before me told us her sister had had a baby a couple hours before (and Hans had served her brother in law a few hours earlier). Hans seemed genuinely happy to hear the news, which made me instantly fall in love The waffles are the perfect size and reminded me, surprisingly, of a dense churro: slightly chewy and crispy at the same time, with a slight cinnamon flavor and nice little touches of caramelized sugar from where chunkier sugar pieces came into contact with the waffle iron. I paid just over $6 for a double tall (amazingly delicious and rich) mocha and a (amazingly delicious) waffle, and was the perfect little pick me up before class. The chocolate used for the mochas can also be bought in bags.
(5)Stanlo S.
I'm really glad I found Arosa Cafe, the waffles are delicious and exactly how I like them. A bit thick, sweet, warm, and crispy.The Fonte coffee is good too. Very quick and friendly service as well. I just wish it was closer to where I lived. One of my new favorite cafes.
(5)NK S.
Average egg, sausage and cheese panini. I had one from Starbucks across the street yesterday, and it was much better. Latte was average.
(2)Andrew P.
This place is very good! I've been here many times and I recently ordered a sandwich which was extremely good. It was a little pricey but the place is catered more so for coffee and things of that realm. The woman working there was extremely friendly and asked me about my day and we ended up having a long conversation. I would recommend this place to others!
(5)Andrea J.
Yelp genius, and extraordinary coworker, Loe B, turned me on to this spot today. I was really quite dubious that waffles, which are so often doughy, bland, soggy, or saccharine, could be tasty enough to warrant being an actual draw; however, I was proven wrong by a lovely Swiss shop-owner--or perhaps by his wife, as he told us that she is the one who makes the dough. These are crispy on the outside, somewhat soft on the inside. I would compare these to the coveted top of a really good muffin. To give you a sense of the crumb, I posted a picture of the last remaining waffle morsel before I had scarfed the whole thing down. The mochas, as many have already noted, are also insanely good. I'm so glad I was acting like a complete hog this morning, and had a double short mocha with whole milk. Fine imported Swiss chocolate (bags of which are sold in the store) and Fonte beans are a perfect pair.
(5)sarah e.
Cheap, casual, delicious, friendly. This isn't any kind of chain or place to do your business but the food and atmosphere make you feel like you're in an ethnic grandma's kitchen. Go! Your mouth will water for the rest of your life.
(4)Micah A.
My friend and I were having a "Crepe day" which sounds way more feminine than I'd like it to but in my defense I have never had crepes before so the idea was that I'd eat it at a bunch of different places all at once and see if it blew my mind. In case you're curious: No, it did not. My testosterone is still untarnished. We were sitting in one of the restaurants when across the street we saw a place that said "Arosa - The Waffle Cafe." It took about 3 seconds to decide that there was no way we were going to skip a place that said "Waffle Cafe." Needless to say we were pretty stoked. So much that I'm using the word "stoked." We step inside this small little store and see Hans, the grandfatherly awesome guy behind the counter, talking to some gentleman with a gray beard that went to his knees. Over in the corner, I saw a small plate of some really tiny waffles, and I looked at the menu and there was not one single mention of the types of waffles available for order. It was at that moment I realized that this was a coffee shop that had a waffle available. That was a huge letdown. But whatever. We were already inside and I could use some extra coffee. So I ordered a mocha, my friend ordered a hot cocoa, and we decided to order the "snack waffles" since why not. We went to a waffle bar, might as well try the small, kind of pathetic looking waffles in the corner. Then the following happened. - The mocha was perfect and amazing. - The hot cocoa was rich and delicious. - The snack waffles were outstanding. Ridiculous. This place went from the most exciting part of my day, to a complete letdown, to better than I even expected. Great job all around. So while I wouldn't come here and expect to have any interesting waffles, I can still recommend this place 110%.
(5)Arick R.
This is a great little coffee kiosk/cafe run by a nice old man, Hans, who has been here 20+ years. The snack waffles are delicious and pair up with any espresso drink. Hans makes them fresh all day long. Their drinks are great too; Hans uses real Swiss chocolate in his mocha so you must try it at least once even if you aren't a mocha drinker. The sandwiches are made fresh to order; in fact he'll slice the cheese just per order. Great little gem on Madison.
(5)Jess W.
To be honest, I was disappointed. The reviews make this sound like heaven on earth, but the waffle was sweet and only decent - kind of awkwardly dry, and it lacked that warm, fresh bakery feeling - and the hot chocolate was good, but not something I'd write home about. I'm not a mocha drinker, so maybe that's where I went wrong? And the atmosphere of the place is nice and relaxed, but we had to wait a long time for our order to be processed and to be served, despite only ordering a waffle, two drinks and a sandwich. It's almost too easygoing, and the seating is very limited, so we almost ran out of a table. Definitely not bad, but I'm not certain what the hype is about, either. Maybe this was just an off day?
(3)Christopher S.
I recently moved to Seattle and my office is across the street from this cafe. The highlight of my day is heading over there on break to chat with Hans and have him make me a cup of his signature Swiss chocolate mocha. I had given up on mochas awhile back but Hans has restored my faith in what is arguably the best mocha in town. He scoops a seemingly ridiculous amount of fresh ground Swiss chocolate into his mini cauldron of stumptown coffee and steamed milk so what you end up with is the perfect velvety blend of rich chocolate with a smooth expresso finish. The perfect pairing with this delectable beverage is one of his snack waffles, which is a Belgian Leige waffle, i.e. brioche batter baked with pearl encrusted sugar. Frozen waffles will taste like cardboard once you've sinked your teeth into one of these delightful squares. If you come in at the right time, and they come fresh off the iron, they are truly the cat's pajamas. Heck, if there were 8 waffles on the cooling rack, I would seriously consider ordering 9 just to force Hans make one warm one for me. While there is a trend towards adding toppings to these waffles at other places, Hans' philosophy is "why mess with perfection?" I would compare it to drowning a perfectly seasoned filet mignon with A1 sauce. If I were reincarnated in Switzerland, I would like to have Hans as my grandfather. He remembered my name on my second visit, has a sense of effortless warmth and sincerity, and takes great pride in his products including the panini sandwiches grilled to order which come in turkey, black forest ham, and gruyere with eggplant and roasted artichokes. He also has a wall which includes pictures submitted by his regular customers so you can definitely sense a feeling of community whenever you stop in. Hans is twice retired and has come back for the pure joy of taking care of his customers so don't postpone a trip to check out this local treasure before it's too late.
(5)Robert C.
Great! Waffles are tasty, coffee was good on my visits. There were a couple customers in front of me but the line moved fairly rapidly, and I got my waffles fresh from the iron. Not really something I would do often but certainly worth going back for.
(5)Heather O.
I loved this place ... small, quaint, simple ... near our hotel. I almost didn't come here because I was starving, but I'm SO SO happy I did. These waffles are tasty, and my kids loved it. Mochas, waffles, and a chocolate croissant = happy morning with my family. Not open on Sundays. Service was stellar ... thank you to the young lady who was so patient with my girls and myself. You're the best. You made this momma feel at home.
(5)Lisa O.
I barely have the words. A freshly pressed snack waffle from Hans might, might just be the best thing ever to pass through these lips. For something so seemingly simple, my brain exploded with glee. And paired with his drinking chocolate? If I smoked I might have needed a cigarette after that.
(5)Shaun O.
Checked out this cafe while out enjoying the weather. The food was great as was the service and friendliness of Audrey and Issabella. The hummus sandwich and the artichoke veggie sandwich were great, and they also gave me a free waffle to try and it was tasty as well. Recommend this if you are looking for some place new to eat.
(5)Kevin A.
Hans is a gem. The best mocha in the city of latte using Fechlin Swiss Chocolate. The snack waffles are so addicting you could call them crack waffles.
(5)C M.
THEY ARE NOT CLOSED! I was there yesterday and it was awesome! The waffles are incredible. I've always loved the sandwiches and the espresso is great! Hans was sitting at a table and everyone was chatting. Not to be mean, but if you're expecting a 10x10 waffle with butter and flavored syrup you clearly don't get it. If you want something extra special take home some granola!
(5)Nancy B.
Hans is the bomb - such a sweet man, who always has a smile on his face. I love the vegetarian paninis, and if you go you MUST get a mocha with the Swiss chocolate. Incredible.
(5)Nick D.
Arosa cafe has great mocca. Its a tiny friendly cafe we visit whenever in Seattle. Waffles and pastries are good. Smooth Swiss chocolate in the drinks and a friendly warm natured 'Hans' owns and runds the place. Last mocca I had like this was in Switzerland. Don't miss this place if you're a hot chocolate or mocca lover. I heard he sold.
(4)Loe B.
I have Hans to thank for winning over my shark of a boss (she's one tough MD to please..is it weird that i admire that?). I introduced her to the soy mochas and Im pretty sure she makes the trek up from clinic to Hans almost everyday. Why is it so good you ask? B/c Hans ships chocolate all the way from Switzerland on the backs of St. Bernarnds..he then shaves it (the chocolate not the dog) and adds it to Fonte espresso and steamed milk (soy if you please). YUM IN MY TUM 1/1 doctor recommended =)
(5)Meghann M.
Drank a hot chocolate here this morning, and wow!! supremely delicious. Made from swiss chocolate, imported directly from Switzerland (according to Hans, the very friendly Swiss gent who runs this lovely little establishment). Definitely one of the best hot chocolates I've had. Hans says mocha and hot chocolate are 99% of his business, so clearly he know what he's doing there. He also knows how to make a damn good waffle! On previous visits I've thoroughly enjoyed the snack size waffles - best when still warm from the oven. They are WAY good: crispy on the outside with a carmelized sweetness that is just right and not overly sugary.
(4)Chelsy C.
A great gathering place for people who demand a superior espresso or mocha. I am all about Hans' focaccia sandwiches too, my current favorite is the Gruyere. I'm not normally a huge fan of Belgian waffles, but at the Arosa, they are superb! Well worth a stop in here. Support a man, not a corporation!
(5)Bob R.
You know it's a newbie customer at Arosa when you overhear them say "Can I get some syrup for my waffle?" Or even better, if they order two! Hans, the shop's grandfatherly Swiss proprietor, will gently nudge them to try a bite unadorned- and start with one waffle. This is because Arosa waffles- the batter lovingly mixed by Hans' wife at home and then made fresh on the premesis- need no added sweeteners. They are sweet, crispy and undoubtedly hearty eatin'. And there is no better way to wash one down than with a hand shaved Swiss chocolate Mocha. Oooh.. just writing about this place is getting my mouth watering. I think I'm going to have to put my pen down and head over there right now..
(5)Anh Thuy V.
I stopped by for the first time to try out their waffles based on the reviews and I hate to say it, but I was a little disappointed. The waffles were left out on a rack for a while so it was cold and hard. It was decent, but it probably would've tasted a lot better if it was fresh. I guess the previous owner of this place sold it to open up a chocolate shop some place else. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll come back for their waffles.
(3)Neal C.
I work across the street from Arosa Cafe and stop in a couple times a week at least. I walk right by a Starbucks on the way but choose this place for a couple of reasons. Hans is friendly but doesn't over do it. And he makes a good latte. Apparently he's getting his own roast from Fonte and it's pretty tasty. I also had a famous waffle one time; I didn't go crazy over it, but it was pretty good. I plan to keep coming back because I like the service, the environment, and the coffee.
(4)alan a.
There are 2 Starbucks within two blocks of my condo but my go-to place for years has been Arosa Café. The friendly owner, Hans Reichsteiner, operates it personally. He sells and uses a privately crafted coffee from Fonte roasters and being Swiss, he sells and uses the most wonderful Swiss chocolate in his mochas making them the best in the city. And don't miss the handmade sweet waffles for which he is famous. Great place!
(5)Randi S.
I love Hans, he is so sweet and makes a tasty panini and italian soda. When I was there with some co-workers for the first time I understood why they talked it up so much. Their snack waffles are also insane good, and they have San Pellegrino in cans, which I love. Cute, unexpected and delicious.
(5)David L.
Just imagine if Hans and Frans went into business :-)
(5)Jeff T.
I'm not a fan of mochas but the waffles are delicious! Waffles = donuts
(4)Alex K.
From what I've gathered from the other reviews in contrast to my experience, I have a little piece of advice: if you're going there for coffee, get the mocha. Otherwise, it's just not worth it. I have some high standards when it comes to coffee, which has been only encouraged by some of the stellar places I've been to in Seattle. In the course of my experiences, I've discovered a kind of litmus test for coffee drinks. If the coffee is really good and the barista is skilled, you don't need any fancy syrups or chocolate to have a delicious latte. Espresso & steamed milk can be amazing on it's own, with the right ingredients and in the right hands... Not so at Arosa. Now, the guy (I assume Hans) was super-nice, and talkative in the right kind of way, and there were little waffles that looked pretty tasty (in the downright-bad-for-you way), and I noticed a plastic bin next to the espresso maker with shaved chocolate, which I presume is what he uses to make his mochas. From the ads around, it looks like it's swiss chocolate, and I'm sure it's amazing. But my soy latte was...ok...it felt a little watered down, and just didn't taste as amazing as I was hoping. Maybe I had higher expectations, in part because of the reviews, maybe I ordered the wrong thing... but it's a nice little place, especially since I work just across the street, but the hours are not the most convenient...it took me a month of thinking "Oh, I should check that place out" before I finally was able to get time while he was open to grab some coffee... maybe I'll go back and try the mocha, see what all the fuss is about.
(2)Diana N.
I don't know what is my favorite part about Arosa... the mocha, the waffles, or Hans. Each of them make me feel all warm and fuzzy and would encourage me to come back. The three combined make the winning trifecta that is Arosa Cafe. Hans is the friendly owner who makes you feel at home as soon as you come into his shop. He treats everyone who comes in with warmth and hospitality- from the regulars to the first-timers like myself. Another great thing about Hans is that he is Swiss, and the Swiss know their chocolate. The mochas at Arosa are amazing! He uses Swiss chocolate melted into the milk to make a creamy, amazing drink that has the perfect ratio of sweet to bitter. So many mochas can double as desserts because they are so syrupy sweet. Not the mochas at Arosa. If you go to Arosa, you HAVE to get a waffle. No excuses. These are the best waffles I've ever eaten. They are crisp on the outside, a little crunchy where the demerara sugar has crystallized from baking, soft and moist on the inside, and have the perfect amount of spice to complement your coffee. Delish! It is easy to walk by this place and not see it, but if you're in the neighborhood, definitely make a point to stop by. You won't regret it!
(5)Adam B.
Very high quality turkey panini sandwich. The mocha is excellent as well. Limited menu but fresh and enjoyable.
(4)Meredith K.
HANS IS BACK! He spent about a year in retirement, then bought his business back because he missed his customers so much. He even has a sign: "Under Old Management." Yay!
(5)Brent E.
This quaint little place owned and operated by a kind gentleman (Hans Riechsteiner) is a delight. The made-to-order paninis accompanied by "snack waffles" that are sweetened to please are a refreshing break from the rest of the fast food located nearby. I did a panini sandwich, snack waffle, and Thomas Kemper root beer for around $11. I'll likely be back for a sandwich and the occasional waffle. Side note; if you eat in at the cafe, you may leave with the smell of paninis and other grilled / fried goodies on your clothes. It's not overwhelming, but if you're headed to a meeting and don't want to smell like an elephant ear, take your sandwich to go.
(4)Ellen C.
I rarely get up to First Hill, and when I do it's usually to take my daughter to the pediatrician. This week, after her 18 month immunizations, she walked me straight to Arosa (it's a block away), opened the door, and pointed to the waffles. And she's right, Arosa waffles, hot chocolate and Hans remembering your name does make everything all better again. Seriously, this place is perfection: Hans makes his own pesto, the waffles are fresh and incredible, the hot chocolate and mochas are to die for, and Hans and the regulars make you feel right at home as soon as you walk in.
(5)Lisa E.
Since I live in West Seattle, I don't get up to First Hill very often. In fact, it seems like the only time I'm on Madison in First Hill is when I am going to the doctor. What makes my trips worthwhile is knowing that I can stop at Arosa and order a mocha and one of those awesome waffles. I am typically not a mocha person, but I do indulge when I am there. I had originally heard about this place from another mom who would stop there after her baby's doctor appointments, so I started doing that, too. Such a nice treat, and Michelle is truly kind. My daughter loves the waffles!
(5)Joni K.
Love the snack waffles! Completely scrumptous!! Best coffee on the street.
(4)Jennifer A.
The best mocha in Seattle. OMG. The waffles, so so good. Hans is just precious! I love Arosa.
(5)Michelle T.
I didn't know the combination of milk, chocolate and espresso could taste so good. I think we taste Hans' love in each drink. How great it is that he remembers us too! I always skip the starbucks and cross the street for this place.
(5)Jason L.
If you like real coffee and you work or live in First Hill, don't miss this place. Hans serves quality espresso and even has top-notch gourmet chocolate to make mochas with. His waffles are especially delicious. They are light enough to eat on the go, but good enough to enjoy as a dessert. Without question, they are a rare, handmade treat in a coffee and donuts world.
(3)Wendy B.
Hans is warm, friendly and will fill you up with his waffles, coffee and sandwiches. He sells Swiss chocolate that is fantastic. I love going to his place whenever I can. It's a little slice of heaven!
(5)Julian H.
4.5 stars is about right. Friendly service, decent prices and good lattes. This location is a little short on seating. The snack waffles look tempting. The latte tasted like sweet warm milk, which is better than bitter but when you want a coffee drink it's nice to taste the coffee. Next time I'll order a double, or a mocha, which appears to be the house specialty.
(4)Joe J.
Hans is the best. Besides Dutch Bros. out of Oregon and Cafe Fiore in Seattle, this is one of my favorite coffee shops and if I am ever near there, even if I've already had coffee. I stop in and say Hi and grab a tall mocha (with that amazing belgian chocolate) and a Waffle...sweet stuff!!
(5)Allie W.
Delightful little spot that we almost walked right by, as it is very nondescript. The soy mocha was delicious - I am hard-pressed to recall one I have enjoyed more! Snack waffles. Being a newbie, I looked around for different varieties, toppings, etc...nope, just the one offering of something called a "snack waffle". I'm game, let's try it. Yum! Crispy on the outside, slightly chewy on the inside, delicately sweetened and spiced (I detected a hint of cinnamon). Delicious. Don't be fooled by their small size; one waffle is filling! It was a pleasure watching the owner, Hans, interact with the other customers too, most of which seem to be on a first name basis with him. He is clearly loved by his regular clientele. Love that.
(4)Lynne M.
I always go here for a waffle and a mocha when I finish a major project. The waffles are sublime - light and delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness - and the Swiss-chocolate mochas are so rich and to die for. Hans, the owner, is a wonderful person, and is always engaged and interested in his customers. I haven't tried anything else, but the paninis really look very tasty. On a side note, the last time I showed up, I'd been caught in a downpour and looked like it. Hans was deeply concerned, handed me a stack of napkins, and went to find an unclaimed umbrella in the Lost and Found, thus saving me from another drenching (or shelling out $10.00 for a cheap umbrella). He didn't even seem to mind that I was dripping all over his immaculate floor. Now THAT'S customer service! (I'm donating the umbrella to charity in Hans' name and will bring him the receipt ;))
(5)Cynthia H.
More than 4 years after I wrote my first review, I still love this place and stand by my statement that it's the best Mocha in Seattle. I wouldln't be surprised if it's the best Mocha anywhere! Whenever I have a doctor's appointment on First Hill, I treat myself to a visit with Hans and a chewy delicious waffle alongside the perfect mocha. I wish I were there now...I love this place.
(5)Dan F.
Expected a full restaurant, but were satisfied with eating several "snack waffles" as our breakfast. It was funny to see all the hipsters come in and talk to Hans like he was their best friend. These were so good, we keep looking for recipes online to find ones this good.
(4)Jennifer S.
Read all the hype, but I actually liked Sweet Iron Waffles downtown much better.
(3)Audrey M.
The Mocha's and hot chocolates are the best in the world. It is really the only thing I get there so I can't speak for the food though the one time I tried the ready to go waffles they were sweet and delicious. The guy who runs it is so nice. I hadn't been in almost 2 years and I went last week and he remembered me! He shaves blocks of Swiss chocolate and melts them into the milk to make the hot chocolates or the mocha's. It is fun to watch him make it while he explains all about how Swiss chocolate is THE best chocolate, you get to talk to a nice owner who cares that you are there AND you get the best mocha in the whole world. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
(5)Katie A.
Yesiree! As good as a snack waffle gets. And as good as a mocha gets. And pleasant conversation too. Life is always better after visiting Hans.
(5)Cliff C.
Best mocha I've had, probably ever. Had a waffle too... Come in and try one. There's a Starbucks across the street, wonder if the people in and out of there have tried this place.... My guess is NO otherwise they'd be in and out of here! :p
(5)Jill S.
I've worked up on First Hill for 4+ months and today was my first visit to Arosa. The soy mocha was as good as I expected based on everyone else's comments. The place was smaller than I expected, but it semlled lovely and I had to exert major self-discipline to pass on the waffle--but I am definitely going to go back for one on another day. The best quality of this place is Hans--he is friendly and treats new people (me) like someone he's known for years. Plus, I found out he's a fellow-Capricorn. Even if the mocha were average, I'd go back just to chat with Hans. He is a sweetheart and I overheard some of his conversations with people stopping in before or after their appointments at Swedish, and he seemed to know what to say to give these people comfort and hope.
(4)Eric P.
Try the artichoke / mozzarella sandwich. Great coffee, great waffles.
(5)Jenna l.
Hans, please be my adopted grandpa. We both are swiss, and both love chocolate. Seriously. Come in and have a nice chat with Hans and he'll tell you his life story. That book over there on the book shelf, it looks like it has scenic photos of Switzerland, well his family's farm and where he grew up is right in there. He will go on and on about how terrible Hershey's chocolate is, and I couldn't agree more. Grab a mocha, hot chocolate, panini, and maybe waffle if you can fit it. I would come here every Saturday after my morning class (i know, class on Saturday morning is a college student's nightmare), and Hans made a point to learn my name. There ought to be more places like Arosa Cafe in this world.
(5)Traci M.
Everything here is so good! As everyone else mentions, the Swiss chocolate in the mochas/hot chocolates make a huge difference. The snack waffles, croissants, and sandwiches are all really good as well. The best part is Hans himself, he truly takes an interest in his customers and it's amazing how many names and personal details he can remember about each person!
(5)Tim K.
I'm lucky enough to live very close to this place so I hit it up pretty often for a delicious morning waffle. Hans, the owner, is the sheeeet. Love that guy, but you don't need to order coffee from him. Maybe if I wasn't in Seattle, I would, but with so many better options I'll pass next time.
(4)Lani A.
I frequent the Madison Park location more often than this one, but I prefer to go to this one. The owner, Hans, is charming and delightful, and an excellent conversation partner while he rings up your order. The waffles are great, too - crunchy with pearl sugar, although not to sweet, and redolent with butter and cinnamon. They taste European to me. A couple of chairs makes it an easy place to relax while you eat your waffle. Get the mocha if you like them - he adds real chocolate shavings!
(4)Bonnie H.
I pay frequent visits to this place for a lunch panini sandwich and some coffee. The owner Hans is very nice and friendly. Most customers seem to be his friends. I like the coffee there, better than some other chains. I've noticed many people like to order mocha or hot chocolate, for Hans uses a special kind of chocolate from Switzerland, creamy and thick unlike other sugary/watery chocolate. Hans also makes unique waffles, 1.50 for each. The sugar within the waffle comes from Switzerland, too. My favorite is his panini sandwiches, especially the vegetarian one--with eggplants, artichokes and cheese in it! They are huge and can possibly fill you up for six hours. Stop by to enjoy nice coffee and a sandwich/waffle. Conversations in the store can also bring you a brief relaxing break from your busy day.
(4)