4. Restaurants

Trabant Coffee & Chai

1309 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA, 98105
  • (206) 675-0668
  • Store is closed

Trabant Coffee & Chai Menu

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  • Molly T.

    The chai is delicious and the atmosphere is unique. The awkward assortment of furniture, tables stacked with games and notebooks for troubled (crazy) people to fill somehow works. My main complaint is that Trabant charges for using credit cards-- come onnnn. I ended up there on a monday night hoping for some peace and quiet to study up for a test the next day, and I ended up enduring the setup for some kind of open mic music night. I left after the "performer" sang one song...that scene just isn't my thing. Meet a friend here, bring cash, and try one of the flavored chais (mint chocolate's my favorite) iced or hot, but don't make the same mistake as me and expect to concentrate on anything in a dynamic and usually busy place like Trabant.

    (3)

  • Jay G.

    I got a Iced Soy Caramel Dream Chaiwalla and it was AMAZING! Nice setting, cool place to hang out, friendly service, and great drinks.

    (5)

  • Lance S.

    on the suggestion of a friend I rolled into to check the place out, to see if it really did have one of the best chai tea lattes around. the barista warned me it was of the "sweet" variety -- but it's nice to mix it up every once in a while. I was definitely not disappointed! great atmosphere, one of the places you can take your laptop to or bring a board game and some friends...

    (4)

  • Navtej Kohli K.

    Great coffee and nice staff! The drinks are a) cheaper than Starbucks / Tully's, b) better tasting, and c) double the number of shots. You can't beat Trabant. It's the best coffee house in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Kathleen W.

    Because of the free computers, cushy couches, and umm.. interesting art this place sticks out in my mind when I think about all the coffee I've had in Seattle. I had a soy latte which was really yummy! But watch out for the 25 cent charge on your cards for purchases under 5 dollars.

    (4)

  • Katie G.

    Full disclosure: the #1 reason I wanted to check out Trabant was because I grew up with them everywhere in Hungary. Such a cute car, a symbol of the working class - I was excited to see it show up in the U.S., even in an unexpected context like a coffee shop. Like the coffee here a lot, and the scones are fantastic. Dinging one star for pretty limited savory food items and staff that seems to be playing it way too cool.

    (4)

  • Alice C.

    Trabant is not one of my top coffee shops of choice. However, it is one of the very few places that are open late and have adequate seating and outlets that are conducive to late night and long hours of studying. Coffee is pretty good, the baristas definitely get that right. I also like that there are many options for hot chocolate and mochas! The drinks are a tad more expensive than other coffee places but if you're trying to camp out at Trabant for a few hours it's worth it. Not my favorite place because the atmosphere doesn't quite jive with me. Eh, probably personal preference.

    (3)

  • Jonathan B.

    Best espresso I've had in the U-district, if not in all of Seattle. Smooth and tangy. Reminds me of my favorite espresso shop on a side street in Tübingen, Germany (Hanseatica). That's saying a lot. Never had their machiatto, so that will be the real test. They also kill it on the clover. Starbucks is wasting that technology.

    (5)

  • Yuka H.

    I was really hungry so I wanted some food items but they were all out of sandwiches and soup so I only got a cheese bagel with cream cheese. I was hungry so it was good regardless of the ridiculous price. I later got some spicy chai with apple juice and it was also pricy but really unique. I am guessing it was the sugar from the apple juice, but it wasn't spicy at all. But it got me satisfied so I'm okay with it. The place very chill and I liked sitting upstairs with good internet.

    (3)

  • Carmen Q.

    Reliable internet and a good environment for lightly studying and working. Lots of outlets for laptops and a good amount of seating, though I was there on a Sunday, might be busier on weekdays. The drinks were a bit expensive for what they were. I got a salted caramel latte which was a bit on the sweeter side but was still really good. The latte art was nice, and the ambience was good, but I didn't think it was a coffee shop that was out of the ordinary in the area. Didn't get a chance to try the food this time around, but maybe next time!

    (3)

  • Andy H.

    I dig it, they brew coffee by the cup on their clover and had three single origin beans to choose from, loved the Congo. Super chill baristas and seemed like they knew what they were doing. Great upstairs seating, it's a little dark up there but by the street you see all that's happening.

    (4)

  • Yaro B.

    Great place to study if you're a student. The noise level is low. They have enough room to hang out and study if you must. I got carmel latte. It was delicious. Enjoyed this place. Will recommend.

    (5)

  • Sam O.

    Super friendly baristas and good coffee to boot. Worth a shot (get it... Like a shot of espresso...)

    (5)

  • Vivian C.

    Does the job!

    (4)

  • Lindsay H.

    Had a tasty latte here, a caramel breve to be exact. The coffee was reallllyy good and strong too. I could feel the blood vessels in my brain constricting after the first sip and I had to restrain myself from downing the whole thing because it was delicious! I can imagine getting A LOT of work done after downing one of these (and then collapsing into a puddle of post-caffeine sloth mode).

    (4)

  • Allie C.

    I practically lived here my junior of college, so I know this place down to exactly which outlet plug does and doesn't work.. I also really like the atmosphere- dark and grungy as others have said. There is always somewhere to sit as there are two stories.. I am really surprised by the customer service reviews as I've never had a problem with them. All in all, lovely cafe, lovely coffee, lovely baristas, would definitely recommend to uw students for a go-to study spot!

    (5)

  • Niki H.

    A solid 4 Stars. The atmosphere is dark and grungy...perfect for the U District vibe. My eyes took in dark blue walls with metal accents. There are 2 levels of seating...with lots of room to find a good spot to sit & unwind. I ordered a Soy Mocha and was pleasantly surprised by the rich full bodied taste. Decent music selection added to the experience.

    (4)

  • Melanie S.

    I'm amazed at some of the reviews that people have written about this place. I've always been one to frequent Trabant when living in the area. They are one of the few cafes that have wifi that actually works and lasts the entire time I want to hang out, and they always serve a wonderful cup of coffee. I have never had a negative experience with the staff here. They're always extremely outgoing, willing to have a conversation and chat up a quick little storm if you're down for talking, and always recommend something if you're not sure what you want. They don't have an extremely large selection of food (-1 star for that), but what they do have isn't half bad. It definitely isn't on par with their coffee, but it's a cafe... You don't go to a hamburger place and order pasta. The environment is really relaxed and always well kept. They have a ton of outlets and aren't snobby about you hanging out for hours and hours on end. I love the window bars where you can work, people watch, and even be connected to one of the many outlets around. It is a really busy area, but seeing as the vast variety of people that walk through this place, I'm impressed with all they have to offer. Keep up the great vibes and wonderful coffee!

    (4)

  • Graham M.

    Super friendly and helpful staff who are serious about coffee. A few great beans to choose from and a Clover machine make for a fantastic cup of coffee. Had some tasty baked goods our first time through, but when we came back a few days later (dragging many more people in to check it out), the scones had not been made yet that morning. *sad trombone*

    (4)

  • Ali D.

    The service and overall atmosphere is always a hit or miss but oh, do I love me one of their spicy chai tea lattes! It's a treat when you find a Seattle coffee shop that not only shakes up the typical coffee bar menu but prepares their own homemade syrups and drink recipes. I'm also a huge fan of their soy latte. The best one I've ever heard, in fact. If you're in the mood for a bite to eat, try the BGB: Bacon, goat cheese, and basil grilled on raisin-pecan bread. If you're a lover of salty/sweet combos like I am, then this is right up your alley!

    (3)

  • Lisa D.

    Very friendly people here! It was pretty quiet when I stepped in for a coffee. My Americano came out quickly and it was excellent. I do not know what coffee they use but it had a great flavor, almost fruity, and very fresh. Plenty of seating available - score a spot by the window and watch the people on the Ave.

    (4)

  • Elaine X.

    It's a little pricey compare to the quality of food and drinks. But it's a spacious place for a cafe in an busy afternoon

    (3)

  • Jeanie M.

    The Fog Lifter is Awesome. Highly recommend it. Friendly service and very tasteful music. I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Lori C.

    Really yummy! The spicy chai was excellent. I got it with skim milk and it was creamy and good with no extra calories - a real treat. The blueberry scone was huge and very tasty. That scone lasted all day. Very close to UW campus. I will definitely be back for more.

    (5)

  • Ally K.

    Cute location. Chill. Friendly service. Great atmosphere. I got the BSSDT (bacon, spinach, sun-dried tomato) sandwich which was heavenly. The bread was perfectly toasted and the only thing that would've made it better would be if they added more spinach. My friend got the egg and cheese breakfast sandwich and thought it was killer. An added plus: our barista said hella. Made this norcal girl feel right at home. Thanks Trabant.

    (4)

  • Kate B.

    I'm updating because despite my mediocre first review, this place has become my go-to place for studying and getting a great, inventive cup of coffee or tea. They always have really inventive but tasty hot and cold drinks on the menu, and these new drinks change out often. I visited earlier in the summer and tried a drink that combined lemonade and iced coffee. I tried it out of morbid curiosity and I thought it was going to be gross but it was fantastic! Plus they tend to have a lot of tables and chairs open, which is great compared to how crazy-crowded other coffee shops can get. I love their music selection and their baristas are always super friendly and helpful when it comes to selecting a drink.

    (4)

  • Savannah L.

    I like this place, and the staff has gotten a lot better. They have good coffee (sometimes a little too strong for me), and interesting choices like a Brupaul, which is iced coffee and lemonade.

    (4)

  • Jane D.

    The cars that are called trabant are refered to fondly as 'Trabi'. That's what I always call this place. The food here is really good. I had a vegan lentil soup that was really AMAZING! Since i radically changed my diet, it's like I have new tastebuds. It's been very interesting. Anyway, I could taste everything the guy put in the soup and it was talking to me--in a good way. Maybe there was LSD in the soup, I don't know. (NO SERIOUSLY, it was delicious.) Im not usually a clover fan but I had a cup of clover coffee too and it was really good. I think I've been food depressed all my life and the depression has lifted with this diet I've been on. Now I can taste things without judgement and taste them for what they are. It's like I took this sense for granted. Anyway go to trabi and try the food.

    (5)

  • Siqi L.

    Internet speed is good. Salted caramel latte is too sweet though.

    (3)

  • Bethany R.

    Wanted to like it. We visited the other downtown location several years ago and were impressed by the super friendly service and then-brand-new Clover coffee. Sadly, this location's ambience really sucked the joy out of the stop. The drinks weren't bad. The scone was moist. The egg and cheese sandwich was forgettable. (Rubbery guck between what might have otherwise been decent bread.) Grating music, grungy bathrooms. Cute strawberry plant growing by the window, though.

    (3)

  • Bari S.

    Their chai lattes are wonderful. They use a special chai base that makes it extra special. And the baristas are very friendly!

    (5)

  • Rachel H.

    Been meaning to try Trabant for far too long. There were some nice things about Trabant. They fresh bake scones, and their chorizo and cheddar scone had a biscuit-like flavor, and was fresh baked and tasty. The baristas were professional, friendly. I love the "huevos" of naming a business after an East German tin-can of a car that somehow became a cult classic, despite being a big step down from a Pinto. The Trabant was a vehicle that produced so much exhaust and smoke that people in West Germany would laugh as it drove by. Meanwhile, the car also became a beloved symbol of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of the city. If you like sweet Chai lattes, Trabant is the place to order it. The business put Chai in the name for good reason --they take chai seriously. I was told to order a chai by other friends who seem to like this place. I heard more than once, "you have to get their Chai! The chai at Trabant is fantastic." So, of coarse, I ordered a soy latte. With expresso. I did ask that they add a vanilla agave syrup they had listed. Sounded intriguing. What turned out to be intriguing is how much said vanilla agave syrup magically transformed my latte into --Ta-da!!! --a chai. It was mouth-gaggingly sweet. It was pretty much a chai latte, with expresso, although I could not taste the expresso. At all. Needless to say, don't repeat my mistake. Trabant is not a cozy cafe where you'd hang out for days. Its on 45th Street, and cars race by. Trabant is a dinged up, dirty, grungy club like spot. Maybe the name is fitting, a smoky, dingy, acquired taste, beloved by some, scoffed at by others, just like its namesake.

    (3)

  • John G.

    I love this place for it's late hours. I study here often. However, more vegan pastries would be nice and I am not fond of the Clover brewed coffee. If i'm getting black coffee it should never cost as much as a late. But hey, the clover "technically" brews better coffee I hear (even tho it tastes the same to me)... so I won't complain. But, I always will give props to this classic University District coffee shop for keeping me awake in my studies late at night!

    (5)

  • Stephanie B.

    Good coffee outstanding chai 2 stars for lack of outlet space & space hoggers taking up 4 seats to themselves & using one of 3 critical outlets by the ghetto fridge/random open storage area where two tables sit crunched under the stairs. Trabant needs to put the outlet strip back...

    (3)

  • Ann G.

    Went here with my boyfriend before a show at the Neptune and it was fantastic! Not only was the guy working super friendly, but there were non-dairy and soy alternatives for me. We got to carry on a good conversation about the brand of chai Trabant uses because we LOVE the chai that was served. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • S F.

    Rude and insanely expensive for not-so-good coffee. This place is HORRIBLE. They charged me ***$4.50** for a cup of plain coffee!! When I asked the guy about the price, he said "well, let me put it to you this way...this is the most regular cup of coffee I can get you here." What an A-hole! Stay away.

    (1)

  • Andre B.

    Good latte! I also tried the "spicy chai", which was good, but for my taste, too sweet. The spice was about right, but seemed less so because of all the milk and sugar. The bagel was a bagel. A bit expensive for what it was. Environment-wise, this place is awesome. My rating is for the food, drink, and price

    (3)

  • Ney N.

    After the message from the owner promising to improve the service, I went back twice (though my wife still strongly refuse to come here again). The service is faster and less long chat with customers while there are others in the line waiting. I'm all for a nice friendly 5 mins chat but let's save that when there's no people waiting to order. The price still a bit high compare to other U district cafes (about $.50 - $.75 more for big latte). The coffee is back to their standard. Though both time it came from other baristas -- not the same guy who served us bad coffee. This would have been 3.5 stars review but I'm giving the extra .5 because the owner kept her promise.

    (4)

  • Beatrice L.

    as i try out all of the "good" coffee places in Seattle, i stumbled across Trabant coffee& chai. I would say this is the best in the u district area. Even if it's a walk from uw campus, id come here for coffee rather than getting it at starbucks. I ordered just a latte but looking at the reviews, it looks like the other drinks r also very promising.

    (4)

  • Pamela R.

    Nice atmosphere and a good place to chill out and study...close to the University and open late with free wifi. Everything is a bit pricey, but from what I hear all the types of drinks (teas, lattes, etc.) and food are worth it. As a coffee fan seeking a plain old Americano or drip coffee though, this place does NOT deliver. I actually dislike the taste of their coffee so much that I never end up even drinking it (and I've tried it many times because Trabant is such a great atmosphere and location for studying). PLEASE TRABANT, please do something about this coffee situation. I beg you!

    (3)

  • Joseph T.

    Main issue: Costco Kirkland Signature homogenized milk. I've been going to Trabant off-and-on for nearly 6 years. I don't think lattes in the past were made with Costco milk, but perhaps I didn't learn the ugly truth until today. If not for the industrial-grade fluid diary product in a square milk jug, it'd be 4 stars.

    (2)

  • Marie B.

    Second visit to the UDistrict Trabant. Decent mochas and chai. Very personable baristas back then and now, good café music with an overall chill vibe. Plus it's always good to support an indie café! Looks like an earlier posted one star review by Ney N. today didn't match the experience me, the kiddo and husband received earlier this evening. Drove over via Wallingford, got parking karma, and got reacquainted with the ever vibrant Ave. (Ahh the good ol' UW college student days). Yes, the place had a handful of folks online with their laptops, but good to see there were others having lively conversations. I liked the barista I dealt with. Next time I'll have to get one of those Trabant Tshirts with the octopus drinking coffee or the one with the coffee press.

    (4)

  • J C.

    Since this cafe is located by the bus stop, I would stop by here on the way to work. I remember this place being known as one of the first (maybe the only) cafe in the neighborhood that owned the ultra expensive $11,000+ Clover brewing machine before Starbucks bought them out. They have a diverse selection of chai and coffee, which are better than average, but the God-awful decor reminds me of late 1990s to early 2000 techno music scene, not a cozy place to unwind and read a book. The blaring music doesn't help either. I'm kind of expecting Stephen Dorff ala Blade to walk into the cafe.

    (3)

  • Michel D.

    I've been coming here to work/study/drink chai since I was an undergrad at UW in the mid 2000's. Needless to say, the chai is consistently good, it's never too crowded, and the atmosphere is comfortable. I recently had the hot dark chocolate with berries and ginger. It's my new favorite! They also have free wi-fi and pastries, so you're set if you need a solid block of time to enjoy a cup of chai and get work done.

    (4)

  • Ian B.

    Less than mediocre coffee on multiple occasions - staff is flippant, and not even in that cool way you hope they'd be. Seemingly overwhelmed by what you've ordered, no matter what you've ordered. Slow. I hadn't thought it possible, but this place managed to botch a Clover coffee; a machine specifically designed to avoid botching coffee. However, pretty good place to work. Enough outlets and good wireless (network/password on the counter). Get headphones; tall ceilings make their shitty album of bluegrass Metallica covers reverberate loudly and insistently.

    (2)

  • Bill H.

    I lived on campus so this shop was a convenient place to go. While waiting for my drink I looked at the pastry selection. The case was full of flies, crawling all over the food. I told the woman making my drink, she replied in a sarcastic way "well i guess someone should get them out then". I sat close to the front to see if she cleaned out the case, she didn't. Maybe she thought I was joking.

    (1)

  • Daphne M.

    I tried this place out for awhile when I worked nearby. Really mediocre coffee. The baristas had too much "attitude" and could never make my simple drink correctly. After a number of tries I gave up. I like indie coffeehouses, but this place missed the mark.

    (1)

  • Ryan W.

    I was staying at the Hotel Deca and this place was right across the street. We got up super early and were meeting some friends for a late breakfast so we decided to go here to split a pastry and have some coffee. Our barista, the one with blue hair, definitely knows her stuff and was extremely friendly. She talked my dad, who typically goes for the hot chocolate, into a hot apple cider chai. I didn't think I'd ever hear my dad order one of those! He loved it too! I had an Ethiopian coffee - everything I expected. Both of our hot drinks were served in glass. There's something really appealing to me about hot coffee in glassware. Nice touch. Oh and we had the mango scone - huge pieces of mango - good stuff. Not sure I'd go here to hang out or study, which is why this isn't a 5-star place. But it's definitely a solid choice for its friendly employees, good coffee, and delicious pastries.

    (4)

  • Jaymie W.

    I stop at this place and grab something sweet when I'm working at the Neptune. The good humor of the afternoon shift always picks me up on a stressful day. The barista's always cater to my specificness, and the coffee is delicious!

    (4)

  • Cole L.

    I'm a regular at Trabant - it is near my work and I go there on my lunch breaks to do school work. The coffees and teas are always excellent here. The atmosphere is welcoming. There are large windows that let in the light, lots of tables, and lots of outlets, and the staff are always entertaining and friendly. The food is a bit "meh" and a little overpriced for what you get. However, the coffee and the baked goods are top notch. I recommend their dirty chai.

    (4)

  • Masha J.

    I'm only reviewing my first experience at Trabant. I'll definitely be back later to see if maybe this is just a fluke, but this is what I've gathered: It's two floors, which provides ample space and work area. There aren't really enough outlets to accommodate all the students that come here from the University, but oh well. Plan to be here as long as your battery life will last you. Very cool vibes here, great music playing in the background. I think I could come here alone for just that. Definitely major points. It's a nice place to come and just chill out. Service is pretty good. The people behind the register and working the bar are fairly nice, but don't go out of your way to help you. -shrug- It was alright. I ordered a doppio espresso, and this is where things started to go south. It was sour, and thick. Espressos are never supposed to be sour and thick. They are bitter with a touch of caramel. This, however, was like consuming my own stomach acid (for the record, I don't like consuming my own stomach acid). I really want to come back here and leave a good review, and I definitely will be trying their other beverages, but in my personal opinion how a cafe makes their espresso really says a lot about their coffee in general. Sorry Trabant. Hopefully I'll have a better experience next time...

    (3)

  • Crysteaux S.

    Tried this place today. I had a special (Ethiopian?) iced americano, which had a fantastic, eye-opening but not bitter flavor. Win! But I found the ambience quite lacking--like it was all just thrown together--but not in a minimalist way...reminded me of Amsterdam coffeeshops. Didn't make me crave everything they have, but it was convenient.

    (4)

  • Tracy M.

    Coffee - Okay~ Study - Okay~

    (4)

  • NW Explorer R.

    Their coffee is always good. I would recommend that. Pastries - stay away ! Today I bought a muffin, which was individually packed. The muffin was a few days old.

    (1)

  • Chris B.

    I've been coming back to Trabant regularly for the past six months. The other day I found a coupon for a free 8 oz beverage with a breakfast or lunch item over $5. I had a delicious breakfast parfait and a short latte. It was the perfect way to start my day. Trabant has an interesting approach to their beans, in which they source from Kuma alongside a guest roaster that they rotate out regularly. It seems like an interesting approach. It looks like next up is a roaster from San Jose, CA. I'm excited to see what they're like.

    (5)

  • Alice C.

    Trabant, how much I miss thee... Three years ago I was a student at SCCC, and I would catch the 49 outside of American Apparel- which means I got to get my morning fix from Trabant. I miss getting my coffee from here, and since I've moved to Capitol Hill and it's plethora of coffee shops I don't get to come as often as I'd like. The mexican mochas are still spectacular, and although my favorite motorcycle barista no longer works here, I still look back on his coffee skills with a smile whenever I have a chance to stop by. They're offering a much bigger food line up now, likely to bring in more college students looking for a place for breakfast, which I personally am a little iffed by- I like coffee shops for their coffee, not breakfast, but that's just me. My last trip for a Mexi-Mocha found me in a bit of a pickle: they were out of the Meixcan chocolate, but the barista substituted the normal stuff for their regular mocha chocolate and cinnamon. I may have to get that from now on, cause it was damn tasty! Plus, the last barista who made my coffee was super nice and a toootal babe- sucks (for me) that he's taken.

    (4)

  • Whitney B.

    I'm not quite sure how I feel about this place yet. I've given this place more than a handful of tries but each time, I've only had their sweet or spicy chai. It's a quaint shop because they have board games, magazines, and wobbly tables and chairs that eventually gives you callouses on your ass. They have ample seating available but I wouldn't recommend going upstairs during the summer time. It gets hot very easily and very quickly upstairs. The first time I was here in May, I might as well have been stuck on a vertical rotisserie and dressed in olive oil, herbs, and garlic for a luau later that night. The first time I came here was with an old friend. He wanted nothing to drink, so I ordered myself a spicy chai as I am a chai lunatic. The girl at the front desk was more focused on eye-molesting my friend than making my drink. Even as she made my drink, her attention was not there. As a paying customer, I demand a little bit of attention. At least fake it. By the time you're old enough to be a barista, you know how to fake it. My chai turned out to be pretty shitty, not spicy at all, and too sweet. Then another time I came back and ordered I believe a spicy chai again. This time, not only was my spicy chai a little bit spicier but the person making it also made some milk art for both of our cups. The first barista I had could learn a little something from this person. The inconsistent service and chai is what makes me believe this place deserves a 3 stars, nothing more, and possibly even fewer. Sad to say that I have never been here when they had a greater selection of chai. Or when they had their piss-coated couch. Now their chai, in general, lacks the spiciness for which it is known and loved. Although they do make a very creamy chai that I have never had before, I'll give them that. Otherwise, there are many areas that could use improvement.

    (3)

  • Rocne S.

    BEST chai I've had in a long time! Friendly staff! They don't dilly dally, they just get your order ready! They chat a lot, and I like that. It makes the shop feel more welcome. It's a very comfortable, warm place! I'll be back soon to try more of their chai teas!

    (5)

  • chuan h.

    Oustanding coffee, delicious scones, and genuinely friendly service. It is wonderful to have Trabant in the neighborhood, and I really appreciate the commitment to quality. What would put Trabant over the top is to find a way, when the line gets long, for more than one barista to practice their art (and I do think of them as artists). If I walk in and see four people in line, I often skip it because I know it will take 10-15 minutes.

    (4)

  • Jim F.

    I've been in Trabant once. I went in and asked for my usual "largest coffee you've got." For them, that's a 12 ounce cup. I wanted it black, and they custom made a cup of coffee using some process I didn't recognize. The coffee tasted incredible, to be sure, but it cost nearly $5. I'm afraid I'm not enough of a coffee snob to pay that much for one cup of black coffee.

    (3)

  • Andy H.

    My girlfriend and I really like the Chai Latte here. We've only had the sweet kind (sweet or spicy). I had a latte here my first visit and didn't think it was bad. I'll be back for more Chai Lattes in the future.

    (4)

  • Daren D.

    I often go to Pi Sq location near work and wanted to try this spot out: Either chai variety is great. I tried one of their sandwiches-I-forget; it was tasty. The bread used was cold and dry, though. After the first half, I asked them if they could toast the other. The oven sufficed. Neat interior and the blueprint drawing of the Sputnik was cool. Also, bought a neat re-usable eco-cup here.

    (4)

  • Sam H.

    Visiting Seattle for a few days I asked some of my Seattle Coffee friends to recommend spots to try. Trabant made me a Kuma Kenyan coffee. It cost me $3.50 and brought me immense happiness. Seriously, this place is worth you money. I didn't stop in long but the coffee was superb, the next time I am in the area I am making a B-Line for Trabant. Stellar stuff.

    (5)

  • Wen M.

    I come here usually early in the morning after bus drops me off. Usually it is a good start of my day! I'm not a regular coffee drinker but this place has great chai and awesome pastry and cookies! Nice staff - always with a smile.

    (4)

  • Pat ..

    "Meh. I've experienced better". That sums up my experience here quite well. I've been to quite a few coffee shops in Seattle, not sure why this one has such a high rating. Location? Convenience? The coffee was decent but not particularly great, the service was friendly. The shope itself would benefit from new furniture. I felt the atmosphere was uncomfortable and very noisy. I have no idea how students get any work done, there are so many better options.

    (2)

  • Casey S.

    You can get coffee on pretty much every street corner and alleyway in Seattle, but what about Mexican hot chocolate? It's a little bit more of a rarity in those parts, and the shops that do make it tend to botch it by simply tossing in some cinnamon and calling it a day. Not so with Trabant. Not only will you get some authentic Mexican cocoa that stands out, you'll also get it in a flowery presentation if you so please. Now that's service!

    (4)

  • Jay M.

    Good espresso. Sometimes under-extracted and sour, but most of the time pretty good. (Definitely more floral/berry-like, not the classic Italian-style roast.) Like the window bar seating. Otherwise the seating and ambiance is kinda meh (somehow not really comfortable).

    (4)

  • Marek L.

    Whoever said the best coffee is in Seattle wasn't lying...absolutely excellent. Very unique selection of drinks.

    (5)

  • Vega S.

    Trabant is a great little coffee shop. I recommend all their teas and also the dill/cheese scone. Internet is pretty fast and they have two floors of seating. The lighting is poor upstairs so if you are planning to read, don't sit there.

    (4)

  • Alannah H.

    Looking for the only open coffee shop open near my house at 11:00 pm on a Sunday night when I first entered Trabant. Now have been back twice in the last week. Consistently friendly service morning and night. It's a nice space thanks to high ceilings and big windows for a small place, and a great study spot if you don't mind their always entertaining music selection. But maybe if you want something upscale and more quiet this wouldn't be your place. Coffee was good, particularly enjoyed their selection of flavored syrups.

    (4)

  • Lisie T.

    This was the first coffee shop I visited when I moved to seattle and I haven't looked much further. No coffee can compare with theirs! Their chia tea lattes and Mexican hot chocolates (or mochas) are similarly amazing and they even have good food! I love this place :)

    (5)

  • Benjamin G.

    Cool folks with great service. The coffee wasn't quite on par with some of my other recent takings, but it certainly wasn't bad. A couple steps up from mid-road for sure. Hence the A-OK rating! When I find myself over in the University District again, I'll for sure stop by, but I don't think I'll be travelling out of my way for it.

    (3)

  • Maria G.

    Meh. Overpriced chai. I have definitely had better ones. Nothing really special about this place. Staff are pretty friendly. I had to come here recently for a meeting. I really wanted to visit elsewhere but did not have a choice.

    (2)

  • Robby F.

    NEVER going here again. Hipster barista made me and my friend wait 15 minutes in line only to tell us once we got to the counter that she needed to close for personal reasons. After looking a bit shocked and confused, she turned to me and said that meant I needed to leave right away. Rude service! And I will never get those 15 minutes back.

    (1)

  • Candice G.

    Being a recent transplant to the Seattle area and going by the assumption that Seattle is THE place in the US to be if you want top-notch coffee, I was on the search for my go-to coffee spot that wasn't run by a corporation like Starbucks or Tully's. That's where I came to fancy Trabant Coffee & Chai. The vibe of the place is very relaxed and perfect if you want to study, read, work, or just hang out with friends for a bit. I tend to go here mostly to do work and always find it easy to station myself at a small table and focus for hours on end without interruptions. All the baristas here that I've encountered so far are very cool as well. They give good information on the different drinks they offer and the differences between them so you know what you're getting. For a newbie to the area like me, they also give great recommendations on places to go check out for hiking or just to enjoy nature. Now I'm a mocha person, so I usually go here for their Mexican Mocha drink since it has a nice hint of spice along with the chocolate flavor. I also like that they use actual crushed chocolate for their mochas rather than syrup like Starbucks does. I tend to associate syrup with extra sweetness, which I'd prefer to not encounter unless I feel like life sucks and a sugar kick will get me hyped up and happy for portion of a day. Some of their foods are pretty good as well--I'd recommend their vegan lemon and rhubarb muffin if they happen to be selling it! Very moist and not too heavy like some muffins can be. So yeah.. I could keep going about how much I like/love this place, but you need to go check it out for yourself to see what I mean. The best part is they also have a new location open at Pioneer Square, so you can grab a cup of joe to go while on your way to the office if you work in the downtown Seattle area!

    (5)

  • Renee L.

    Strong espresso on the sour side. Nice chill atmosphere. Cool blueprint of Sputnik on the wall.

    (4)

  • Joshua M.

    I love this place, I really do. It has interesting drinks, good baristas, and I usually walk away having a better day than when I left. It was the first coffee shop My friends took me too on my first visit to the city. Recently, I was told the store policy was that "the kitchen" closed an hour before closing. They wouldn't make a drink, and that's one of the perks of going there. It's my last stop before I drive to the south sound after a long day up north; my piece of nostalgia for the road. I want my 11:03 PM Barista'a choice coffee for the road back. My last visit was my last, and I couldn't even order.

    (1)

  • Lucie W.

    I have only purchased chai from here and it's the only place I go for chai. I used to order the "creamy chai" which was delicious but they changed brands of chai or something like that and have switched it to "sweet chai". I preferred the creamy chai. Now, I get the spicy chai. It is sooo good. I like the spiciness of it. My one complaint about it is that usually it is not hot enough, even though I have asked for it extra hot before. I like my drinks to burn my tongue right as I get it, so that I can sip it slowly while it cools down.

    (4)

  • Kelley B.

    This place only gets its 3 stars for their amazing second level studying haven for us college kids. It is usually empty when I get to my morning studying sessions and they've got large tables to spread out. The drip coffee, however, is terrible. It also cost $4. I got a cup of some fancy brand from Africa, which is all they serve and pretty cool because they support true Fair Trade, but the coffee literally tasted like ass. Actually, it tasted like soy sauce. I don't know, I came back and gave their drip a second try and got the same result. Bleh! Their espresso is a different story though. I love the Mexican Mocha. Something about cinnamon and chocolate is just wonderful, and this cafe is about the only place to serve this drink on The Ave and they do it well. This place is chill, I wouldn't tell you to not go here..But avoid that drip.

    (3)

  • Laura C.

    I work in the University District, which has loads of places to get coffee and chai and (as one can imagine) they vary in quality. I'm not a fan of Trabant just yet, but I really do enjoy their sweet chai a lot. It's much better than the watered down crap Cafe Solstice serves. The service is decent, the cafe is generally clean and I love sitting at the stools in the window. I thought it was pretty cool that I had the option to get my receipt texted to me. I'm going to come back again and try a pastry and perhaps the spicy chai.

    (3)

  • Inna B.

    I love love love their coffee drinks. Those mocha's are super delicious. I also like the upstairs seating area that I recently discovered when I went there with a friend. (All previous times I was only there to get a to-go mocha and use the restroom.) The one drink that didn't turn out as I wanted was their yerba mate latte. I love that drink at Tully's and Remedy Teas and noticed Trabant had it on the menu as well. So I ordered it... and learned that It tastes very much like the yerba mate that some of my friends have been drinking since they came back from Argentina (herbs in a gourd with hot water).... and that flavor very much NOT what I wanted. Ah well. I should have known it would be different when they said "It'll take a few minutes to steep it." The service has been generally good. The only time I've been disappointed was one morning when I got a coffee beverage and a cup of water... and they forgot the water. Normally I would have asked again, but I had no time to waste and they were already helping another customer.

    (4)

  • Joshua W.

    A cafe that puts the word "Chai" in the damn name ought to make it from scratch... or at least make the concentrate from scratch. Trabant does neither, it's a sickeningly sweet concentrate that comes in from somewhere else. The Cappuccino my friend ordered was a frothy mess and when my other friend asked for a drip the barista failed to mention that they use a Clover machine and it was going to be a 5 minute wait and cost $4. There was nobody in the place and it took 15 minutes for 3 friends to get a bad cappuccino, terrible chai, and very expensive very slow drip coffee that was, admittedly, fine. What do you do well Trabant?

    (1)

  • Emmy R.

    Yes, they have great chai, as many have mentioned. Here's my advice: take the spicy chai, mix it with apple cider, and prepare to have your tastebuds tantalized! There's nothing better than sipping this concoction while strolling The Ave on a chilly Fall day--except for maybe grabbing one before trekking up to the U Village for some retail therapy. Don't care for a lot spice or tang? Not a problem! Their creamy chai is deliciously sweet. Need more of a caffeine kick? Get it dirty! Not a chai fan? We can't be friends... Just kidding...BUT they've got decent lattes, mochas, or straight up espresso for you as well. I've never tried the food here, but I've heard good things. Baristas are friendly and can help you make a selection if you haven't picked out your go-to fave yet. I appreciate that they aren't the overly-caffeinated chatty perky types, but they also aren't completely disinterested and rude. Almost makes me wish I was still a UW student so I'd have more excuses to swing by. And then I see the frenzied faces of students on adderall during finals week and am glad I can just grab my drink and relax.

    (4)

  • Kristine H.

    Baristas kick ass here. I stopped in while my boyfriend was queued up at the Neptune for one of the National's shows. I bought a pair of massive cookies that might have been the tastiest cookies we have ever had from a coffeehouse. Open late with an excellent comfortable feel to the place... also, lovely foam art : )

    (4)

  • Jennifer U.

    I'm not sure how good their coffee is, but I am in LOVE with their Chai! I use to live about 10 minutes from the Ave, and this was always a must stop when I was in the area. They use to have a list of Chai drinks up on their menu, but they took some of them down. Everytime I go in, I always order the Mount Rainier. I can't remember what they put it in, but it's my favorite Chai. I recently moved to California and I can't find any Chai place that comes remotely close to how good Trabant makes their Chai drinks. They also occasionally have open mics, which are fun during those nights when you don't have much planned. It's a small cafe' with a small little upstairs with additional tables. During UW finals it's difficult to find seats, but any other time it's pretty nice to just sit around and drink your Chai while surfing the internet.

    (5)

  • Cherise F.

    I like Trabant, I really do. I like that they have an upstairs sitting area and showcase local art. I like that they have delicious chai. Every time I find myself in the U-District I stop by Trabant. Last time I went there I tried the "Manhattan Special"- it was an iced espresso with seltzer water, cream, and vanilla. Delicious. And why have I never though of making coffee soda?! My boyfriend ordered espresso. His shot was completely sour, and mine was too. The female barista seemed to know some cool-looking coffee making tricks, but she couldn't pull a decent shot of espresso. This concerns me, as no one wants their espresso to be the sour end bits that you're supposed to throw out. So for now, Trabant, you're only getting 3 stars. Please make sure your baristas are trained to pull a good-tasting shot of espresso.

    (3)

  • Rachel P.

    My favorite coffee on the Ave! I stopped in one day on my way to work as I didn't want a cup of Charbucks. Wow, pleasantly surprised!!! The baristas are always friendly and chatty, make a great cuppa joe and they have freshly backed super yummy scones every day! In addition to the awesome coffee, the atmosphere is exactly what you want in a local java joint! Perfect for college students to do homework or just chill out ... they are open super late which is always a bonus! Upstairs seating with board games to borrow, cool local art ... I love this place, can you tell??

    (5)

  • Olivia B.

    I want to give them more stars because most of the staff here is awesome and wonderful, but one of them sort of ruined the experience for me awhile back. :( I ordered a cup of tea. Redhead guy said he'd bring it out to me. I go back to my seat, wait awhile, and when about 40 minutes has passed, I go up to the front to ask about it, and he says "it's right there". My tea is sitting there on the counter, long oversteeped and cold. I said "Can I get a different cup of tea? You said you would bring it out to me." He rolls his eyes, thinking I don't notice, and says "I had a huge rush, so that just wasn't feasible for me." This "huge" rush was only about 4 people, and I was in line before they were. Let me tell you something about making tea. You put tea in a tea bag. You add boiling water. It is not very complicated. He didn't even bother to apologize. The chef in back finally brings me a new one (albeit not what I ordered, but at least something)and apologizes for him. I used to go to this place all the time, but now I can't really seem to shake off the feeling that left me with. Ew. :(

    (2)

  • Ian S.

    High end coffee, high end baristas, high end prices. Oh, also high end attitude. It isn't compelling enough for me to be here very often, but for a stellar espresso it is sometimes a good choice.

    (2)

  • Irma E.

    Trabant, Trabant, Trabant. Upon an afternoon stroll down U-District I came across Trabant. And yet, to my surprise I was craving coffee. (As usual) I stumbled upon the cool, urban, lofty type of shop and was immediately mesmerized by it's design. Trabant the name, means 'satellite' in German. Full of nuts and bolts and other metal objects that hint Soviet Sputnik meets graffiti art? (Hey, it works) "What can I get for you?" Quite surprised as I hadn't gathered my thoughts and felt an immediate feeling of pressure to choose, choose, hurry, choose! My eyes scanned their menu.......yup, there it was. Mexican Mocha. I could hear the angels singing now. See, I had fallen in love with the Mexican Mocha back at one of the local shops in Long Beach so I just had to try. And yes, here at Trabant, not only do they swirl little hearts in your whip but the taste was smooth and went down your throat like a warm hug. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4/5 Ambiance - The mood, character, quality, tone, atmosphere. 4/5 Service - Helpful, accommodating, efficient, delivery and speed? 4/5 Food / Merchandise - Quality, taste, presentation. 4/5 Price - Reasonable, inexpensive, high priced? (Based on Irma's review rating rubric - static.px.yelp.com/photo…

    (4)

  • Jerry S.

    The folks at Trabant know their stuff. They can tell you all about their various roasts and make educated recommendations based upon your particular preferences and brew methods. Their baristas always seem methodical when making coffee, and I have never been given a bad cup while there. HOWEVER, I have one big beef with Trabant, and for me, it is kind of an important one when it comes to cafes. It's too SLOW! It often seems impossible to stop into Trabant for a quick cup of coffee. They do not seem to do traditional drip coffee. They do Clover and other single-cup brew methods, but they do not have a simple pot of drip waiting to go. This means that, even if you just want to pop in a grab a cup of coffee on your way to work, you need to dedicate at least a good 5 minutes. On top of that, it seems to me that even when there are two people working at a time, they focus 100% on the person at the counter. That means that when someone is asking for a coffee recommendation, which seems to happen a lot, they spend 5 minutes explaining the different roasts while the line gets longer and more impatient. When I have been a barista, I was trained to work on multiple drinks at once and start getting drink orders from the line while the register person took care of pastries and money. Trabant seems opposed to that method, so you end up waiting even longer to get an opportunity to give them your order for a cup of coffee that will likely take them several minutes to make. Again, they make great coffee. If you are planning on sitting down for a while, then Trabant is a great choice. If you have extra time to kill and don't mind waiting 10 minutes to get through line and then get your coffee made, then Trabant is great. It'll be delicious. However, if you value speed and just want a good cup of joe as you head to work/school, Trabant is probably not your best choice.

    (3)

  • Giena L.

    They used to have so many varieties of chai. But they changed their menu board awhile back so I'm unsure if they just don't have them anymore, or if they are somewhere else, or if it's non existent. Either way, still good chai (regular), good coffee, espresso and tea. Free wifi!! You can find many a college student studying. Open late! Friendly staff! Not too much in the way of food, just pastries. But I do recommend the vegan oat bar which they get form Wallingford bakery.

    (4)

  • Amanda R.

    Best chai I've ever had anywhere. Ever. Get it "dirty" (with a shot of espresso) and you will think you have died and gone to gingerbready, caffeinated, chai-filled heaven. Speaking of heaven, it always smells AMAZING in there from whatever goodies they're baking. Bonus! FYI - Bring cash or pay an extra 25 cents for using a card. (Worth it!)

    (5)

  • Cami G.

    What an amazing espresso experience you can get in and definitely around here. I visit almost daily. Bitter beans, nice atmosphere, barista smiles, never a dull moment at Trabant. Best pastries and scones evAR. All baked things are baked directly on site daily. Word up!

    (5)

  • Laurie P.

    Almost 26 hours since I had last gotten any sleep and upon immediate arrival into Seattle at to the Hotel Deca where we were staying, I was nearly in tears I was so exhausted. I cried to my best friend, who was picking me and my husband for dinner, that I needed coffee. I needed coffee or I was going to have an emotional breakdown that I doubted I would recover from and I really didn't want to have a 51/50 psych hold put on me, and for some reason known only to God the coffee shop in the lobby was closed. My best friend smiled his knowing smile and says, " We'll walk across the street to my favorite coffee shop." 2 minutes later, I'm front of a lovely barista who is smiling serenely and who probably knows that I am about to break down if I don't get some caffeine immediately. The board isn't a set board, it looks like it probably rotates flavors with seasons and availability. "Lovely," I think, "artisan coffee. What else do you expect in Seattle?!" I decide on a mocha, but there are two kinds . . . a Mexican mocha and (i think this is what it was called) Omanehene mocha. The lovely serene barista kindaly explains the differences - Omanehene is going to a dark choc flavor (70% cocoa butter chocolate from Guyana), the Mexican is going to be spiced, not spicy and sweeter. I go for the Omanehene. The second barista goes to work. Individual shots, individual serving of steamed milk. The man looks like a Chemist in the middle of an experiment while making my coffee. He stares deeply into the bottom of the small, recyclable paper cup. Shakes and swirls it, stares again, still unsatisfied, he taps it against the counter. He pours in the milk . . . AND HE MADE A LITTLE HEART OUT OF THE FOAM! This totally makes my day! 26 hours and 5 minutes since my last good rest, two lovely baristas and Omanehene mocha with a foamy heart bring me back from an emotional breakdown.

    (5)

  • Ian G.

    quite simply, this is one of my favorite hangouts in Seattle. friendly staff and dang good coffee! secondly, they offer some great drinks if you're not particularly fond of coffee or tea. go here!

    (5)

  • Shawn S.

    My husband and I visited Trabant on Saturday. My husband stated the latte was the best he has ever had in Seattle. The chai tea latte I had was wonderful. Very good place to visit and drink your favorite beverage.

    (5)

  • Chandini S.

    Decaf Mexican Mocha. Always luscious, tasty, and worth the extra money.

    (5)

  • Sarah M.

    I usually get my coffee with sugar free syrups, but Trabant only had vanilla available. The barista told me that they make their own syrup with agave, so I decided to try raspberry in my nonfat latte. My friend got a mocha made with mexican chocolate. I got a taste, and it was pretty good! a hint of spiciness goodness. however, mine was just so-so. The sweetness was right, but the flavir was a little off... not very raspberry-like. My friend's cup of mocha had a pretty leaf design on top, while mine was a glob of foamy mess. The place is nice and open. There's also second floor with more seating.

    (3)

  • Jessica W.

    I think the chai at Trabant is really good. But it seems like things have been getting sloppier there recently. I've gone in a few times in the last couple months to find that they're out of at least one thing I'm trying to order, like spicy chai or bread for sandwiches. I think that sandwiches for them are a new thing, so I get that they're working out the kinks, but it seems like it's more trouble than it's worth. It seems like the staff isn't really prepared to make them, or maybe their kitchen space is tight, I'm not sure. I have ordered a sandwich there three times now, and each time, it has taken like 20 minutes for the sandwich to be ready. It just seems silly to wait that long for a sandwich even in slow times where nobody else is ordering food, when I typically go. I like their turkey sandwich, and I'd love to keep ordering it, but it takes SO LONG for them to make. It's got really nice flavors and unique ingredients, and the presentation is usually good (except for the time that my girlfriend ordered one of their sandwiches and found a foot long hair hanging out of it, half in the sandwich, half very visible on the plate, ew.) The baristas seem plenty nice, but not very focused or professional. Maybe that's why the sandwiches take a long time to make? Only time will tell, but right now, I'm feeling more and more skeptical.

    (3)

  • Stephanie T.

    Well, I am a student at UW, and usually get dropped off from the bus right at the corner of University Ave. where Trabant is located. I walked by it plenty of times, so recently decided to try it. They seem to be like most other local coffee shops, except they seem to be most proud of their chais. I have yet to try the chai, but have tried their Mexican mocha twice, and just a regular mocha. They make all their syrups homemade, which I had never seen before in a coffee place. If you frequent Starbucks you would NEVER experience this. So for me, the mocha was a little bitter, and not too sweet. So far the espresso drink lover out there, who does NOT like overally sweet mochas, this is your place. They are a little pricey, but I'm sure the homemade syrups and pastries are not cheap. Moving on to their pastries, this is probably the main reason I keep coming back. I am in LOVE with their chocolate chip cookie. I'm not sure how much butter, or yummy chocolate they put in there, but this is the BEST choco chip cookie I've ever had. A nice crunch on the outside, and boarderline undercooked gooey center. Perfect. They always have a fresh selection of scones, a savory and sweet scone, crossants, other cookies, etc. All of them look super yummy, and every time I go in their, they have something different. They also apparently have sandwhichs I think, but I've only gone in there in the early morning, so haven't been there for lunch. So overall, I really love the pastries, and I'm learning to love their homemade mocha. I will venture to the chai eventually, because I heard they are really good too.

    (4)

  • Katya L.

    Awesome. Definitely one of my favorite coffee shops in the UD. Their baristas get very thoroughly trained, so that everything they make is top quality. Being a Stumptown-trained barista, I do love a high standard. The coffee drinks are excellent, and the chai is even better! The staff tolerates my repeated requests for top-ups of hot water in my tea and allows me to outstay my welcome when I'm engrossed in the Stranger (or just have nowhere else to go when my friends are standing me up, sob). I went to an open mic night here which was kind of hit and miss, and the acoustics just aren't right for it. Still, awesome.

    (4)

  • Peggy R.

    I waiting for the doors to open at the Neptune when the thirsty urge struck. Just two doors down was this amazing coffee shop. Amazing doesn't begin to do it justice - all the staff were so very friendly and receptive to my pre-concert giddiness. I looked at the menu and saw a drink that featured some really wonderful lemony goodness. And dagnabbit, I cannot for the life of me remember the name of said drink. But, there was coffee, lemony syrup and lemonade - something I never would have thought would go together. The best part was the coffee was made on a Clover machine -- take that, Starbucks. The drink was smooth, refreshing and provided the perfect buzz! It was also so awesome they were open after the show. I would definitely say I'm a fan and even though I live in Lynnwood, I plan to come back and bring friends. So, if you are in the U-District and contemplating coffee, give this little place a try. It's a nice alternative to S-Bucks and it's a lot cheaper. I can't wait to try the food!

    (5)

  • Greg A.

    I'd like to begin by saying this is not your corporate coffee house - and this is a high compliment. Pastries are baked fresh daily (no stale trucked in frozen goods). How do I know this? While waiting for my fantastic Spicy Soy Chai Latte, I watched the baker spooning the batter for fresh muffins into tins to be baked. The scones are "to die for" and my favorite was the orange/apricot/fig that was very fresh and oh so good. The Barista's are artisans and the drinks are visually beautiful as well as having great flavor and panache. I was only in Seattle for three days - and I made at least that many visits to Trabant. I will definitely stop in on my next visit!

    (5)

  • Kenny V.

    Cool atmosphere. Mediocre sandwiches and average coffee that's a bit expensive. Perhaps I'll give them a second chance.

    (2)

  • Kim C.

    For the longest of time I've passed by this place without going in because it (and the dirty alley next to it) looked sketchy from the outside. I also had a bad experience with Chai (when I used to think they meant the same as Chai you'd get in an Indian restaurant) which kept me out even further. I finally stopped by the other day in search for a good cafe to get some work done (i.e. wi-fi, power outlet, tables, not too loud/ crowded like Starbucks). I had my first ever dirty (sweet) Chai and it was super delicious (as I'm discovering right now that dirty chai elsewhere doesn't taste as good...). The baristas are quite upbeat, chatty and happy (depending on one's mood that may not always fly so well). The upstair space was perfect for no-distraction, quiet, get work done. yay!

    (4)

  • Rachel A.

    My little brother lives in Seattle, and took me here on my last visit. I LOVE this place! I am so jealous of my brother, and everyone else in Seattle, who gets to go here all the time! Not only is their chai one of the most amazing things I have ever consumed, but the atmosphere in the place is great. Can you guys pretty please open a location in San Francisco??? Please and thank you!

    (5)

  • Heather H.

    This is one little coffee spot that's got lot of confidence and gusto to boost not only its infamous Chai but the trained n' tested baristas, and high-starred fair trade coffee. I'm a little torn over the Chai. I'm not sure if its from a mix or not. Like most enthusiasts Chai should be sweet but not hot cocoa sweet since its a tea. Whatever the case this stuff defiantly taken over the addict parts of my brain. Trabant is centrally located in the District so it attracts an eclectic crowd. Part of its ambiance. Little did I know that it boosts local indie artists. My housemate and I were treated to a nice little performance last night plus the guy gave us free cds of his music. Coffee-Chai snob or not I think this is one hipster coffee shop that is worth a stop to check out the locals.

    (5)

  • Nick M.

    One of my many stops on my seattle tour of coffee. Not an impressive storefront. Looks dingy and worn, and honestly it carries to look inside. I guess if you go to a place named after an east german car made of cardboard (ok, it wasn't cardboard, but it makes it easier), you shouldn't expect a Rolls. They do, however, have the Rolls of coffee makers, a Clover. Very few of these made it out in the world before starbucks bought them and ordained that they should only be used on burnt coffee. I had a non-burnt Ethiopian and the cup was just perfect. Great stuff going on here.

    (5)

  • Dominique F.

    This is probably THE place that started my Chai addiction. Their Chai is soo good, and with all those flavors to choose from, you end up coming here way too often. So far, the chocolate raspberry and the chocolate caramel are on top of my list. The baristas are very friendly and always helpful when you have any questions! Enjoy!!

    (5)

  • Megan H.

    Really enjoy studying here. The employees are friendly, the food is fresh and really good, and their theme is super fun.

    (5)

  • Adriana R.

    You must try their creamy chai! Very friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Travis M.

    Best coffee I've found in the U-District. Vivace/Zoka/Stumptown it's not, but it's not bad, and, as others have said, their chai is delicious. Also, quite a few tables and a balcony area, so it's good for studying/hanging-out.

    (3)

  • Alec B.

    I'm a student at UW and Trabant is my go to place to study over anywhere else. The owner is extremely nice and the other workers are always sincere as well. Great food, coffee, and tea! Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Mary S.

    Emm... so I just had a total fail experience at Trabant. Usually I don't review until I've been to a place at least twice, but this will be an exception. I spontaneously decided to have coffee while I was packing at home, and looked up a place open here on good ole yelp. The barista was very sweet, odd and easy-going the entire time. So her alone receives a complete star. The menu appeared small and to the point. So, I ordered a Mexican Mocha, they were out. Somewhat disappointed, but no big deal. I ordered my usual Hazelnut latte. Out of hazelnut. Siiiigh... okayy.. Thought a bit, discussed other flavors (since they didn't have a list), debated with myself, and finally decided on salted caramel latte. She made it hot instead of iced... (and it was unusually warm tonite!) After an apology, she said she'd remake it, and I said kindly that it's okay, and that I'd go for an iced chai, easy. Tasted it, didn't like it. Too creamy, and no spice at all; boring. My boyfriend was kind enough to buy me a latte down the street after that. I was extremely grateful.

    (2)

  • Sierra P.

    Trabant really is lovely, and it's the only cafe that I'm willing to go to regularly in the U-district. They always have great, relatively speedy internet and are open convenient hours to fit a college kid's lifestyle. The baristas are usually quite friendly and there are some really fun specialty drinks - my favorite is a ginger italian soda with a dash of apple cider and a bit of simple syrup (despite its $4 price tag). Food options here are better than normal cafe-fare, and it's great that you can get hearty, hot meals in a laptop friendly place. That being said, more outlets are needed. Also, I really, really wish their music was more consistently coffee-house appropriate and listener friendly. I can't tell you how many times I have come in, wanting to study for a chemistry final only to hear Evanescence or KISS playing. No amount of blared iPod listening can ever truly drown out some of the musical horrors I've heard in this place....

    (3)

  • Anna C.

    This review is solely for the creamy chai. I have my regular coffee shop that I go to daily and that I (mostly) stay loyal to on the Ave, but when it comes to chai, I come to Trabant. The creamy chai is like nothing I've ever tasted...SO DELICIOUS!

    (5)

  • Sean P.

    I was a kid from the sticks (Ohio), and didn't know what good coffee was until I stopped by Trabant. Been in Seattle a year, and it's still my number one go-to place. The dudes and ladies there know how to brew, and have been super helpful when picking up coffee for the homestead. My one con; place is kinda sweltering in the summer! What the hell! No airflow, especially on the top floor. But I would rather sweat my hat off with an almond latte here then go anywhere else.

    (5)

  • Robyn L.

    Why hello my little Omanhene Mocha, we shall be friends. Get it. Try it. Gooood.

    (4)

  • Tyler M.

    Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I am actually impressed with how terrible it has gotten. Previously one of my favorite coffee shops in the U-District, buuuut it would appear that sometime about a year ago they decided that making coffee was secondary to providing the most hipster atmosphere possible. Check the "trends" options in the ratings and see what I mean. So, went in about a month or two ago and ordered a late that was in every way inferior to one you could get anywhere else in the U-District, especially for the steep price. Service wasn't too great, as the barista was a little rude, but since I work food service, I shrugged it off, figured it was off-occurrence. 'Twas not. Come in again the other day and wait to order, and watch as the two of the THREE baristas chat to eachother while one flirts with a customer as I continue standing there. This is a no-no already, especially since being a barista is far, far easier than any other customer service position. Order a grande americano TO-GO once they get around to doing their job. Easiest drink ever. A few minutes later, one of the baristas gets my attention, looks at me and says that my coffee is ready. I see a grande to-go cup, pick it up, walk up stairs, and take a sip. It's chai. Again, as someone who works food service, I understand that this happens, and that it USUALLY is the customer's fault. However, as I was explicitly told by the barista that it was mine, no sympathy or understanding from me. Go down and politely say to the one who was flirting with a customer while not making drinks correctly "I think I got the wrong drink, I ordered an americano." Rolls her eyes, grabs the drink and says "Uhhh, THAT'S yours," as she points to a FOR HERE Americano that I heard called out after I had already been given the chai. Annnnnd it was undrinkable. I almost would be more understanding if they had intentionally made it awful to spite me for their screw-up. So, if you really like to spend a lot of money so you can look trendy and drink sewage, come here. If you want coffee that's actually good and open late night, go to Bauhaus.

    (1)

  • Allie S.

    Last summer I was taking an intensive language course at the UW. Yeah, class from 8:30am - 1pm followed by even more studying. Yeah, I spent a lot of time at Trabant. My bestie, Stacy, and I ended up writing a skit in Japanese about searching for an apartment and settling on living beneath Trabant's stairs.... as if we didn't practically live there anyway. To me, Trabant is full of excellent memories, in addition to amazing chai. I don't think anybody I've ever taken to Trabant hasn't fallen in love with it. I probably couldn't even begin to calculate how many hours I've spent here nursing a mug of chai and trying to be a productive college student. Lately I've been defaulting to their raspberry spicy rice chai, which is amazing. The people are amazing, the atmosphere is amazing. Actually, everything is amazing. Trabant makes me so happy it is impossible to form coherent sentences -- I'd take that as a good sign.

    (5)

  • Robb M.

    I swear by Cafe Ladro (and still do!), but I found another indie coffee place in Seattle that I can add to my list of approved stops. The baristas were very knowledgeable as to their blends and even the origins and subtle flavor nuances of all their offerings. They also make their own syrups, and while I didn't try any, that's a pretty cool point. The house brew was fruity and slightly spicy in drip form, and the spiced chai was not overly sweet (as so many, many chais are) and had an actual bit of spiced heat that I found warming and awakening. Atmosphere was hipster and funky, cozy, and friendly. Collection of board games a plus and a good sign that the staff doesn't mind guests coming in and chilling for a while, which is a rare and welcome positive in Seattle coffee shops.

    (5)

  • Max W.

    One of my favorite places in Seattle - better than the location Downtown. Has a great atmosphere for people watching!

    (5)

  • Joyce B.

    I think $3.50 for a small 8oz cup of coffee is a bit pretentious. Definitely don't think it's worth it.

    (2)

  • Jennifer O.

    I don't understand the hype of this place. I have tried their coffee 4-5 times and not once has it been equal to any of the numerous coffee shops around the ave that I could go to. The inside is really cold feeling and the coffee just isn't that good. I usually would get a latte and the espresso had a weird flavor... like cinnamon sort of but unpleasant... The milk was never really frothy and the people who work there all seemed to think that they were just the coolest people ever. They also were super slow. Sometimes I would go get a coffee while waiting for the bus because the bus wasn't coming for 15 min... and then I'd miss my bus waiting for the dumb coffee. I just think that there are better options....

    (2)

  • NellieBly W.

    Great coffee, friendly staff and yummy drop biscuits (but they call them scones)! What more can you ask for?

    (5)

  • Quinn R.

    Haven't been to U District in sometime, stopped by because this place was so well reviewed. Well deserved. Good coffee and tea, lots of seating and actually a lot of natural light which is a major plus when it comes to coffee shops. Also seating upstairs. I'm a fan.

    (4)

  • Martha T.

    This is my chai place! The baristas are always friendly and extremely well trained. I am always impressed with the foam art on my drink. This is a fun place to go catch up with a friend. There is a nice upstairs section to go to if you want more privacy. While I haven't tried the food or other drinks, I have only heard good things.

    (3)

  • Luis L.

    I stop by Trabant to grab a Mexican Mocha to go whenever I go to the U district. The baristas are very friendly and the shop is always filled with students doing homework. On the weekends there are even people playing MaJong!! My only minor complain is that the lights are too dim for reading on the second floor next to the stairs. The 49th Parallel Roaster coffee beans that they sell are also excellent.

    (5)

  • Matt S.

    Mmm...creamy chai. Simply A M A Z I N G! All I drink is chai, and I must say, so far, out of the 5 or so shops I've tried in the U-District area, Trabant has the best chai. It's super smooth and sweet; I almost feel guilty everytime I drink it, like I'm drinking a dessert. There's a wide variety of chais and other drinks and fair prices. I've been meaning to try the spicy chai too and see how it goes. Baristas are pretty hip and cool and will be glad to chat. The location is also really great for UW, right along 45th. Easy to walk to while on campus or on my way to/from home. I did knock a star for the environment. Even though I'm a modern kinda guy, I like my coffee shops a bit more on the cozy side. Trabant is a little more sterile, which is fine, I just don't see myself spending hours and hours there. There's lots of seating, both upstairs and down. There's a counter with barstools along the window, which is great for people watching (unless you get the part that overlooks the alley). There's a lot of open space, and the tables and chairs are hard and generally metal. The upstairs deserves a quick note. It's cool to look over downstairs, but MAN, does it get hot up there! I was in there on a "warmer" day (read 65 degrees) and it was really steamy up there, making it hard to concentrate. Even the fans running didn't really take the edge off. Oh well, my bad, next time i'd try to get a seat downstairs. Other than that, pretty standard stuff. Bus your table. Bathroom's clean and nothing fancy (although the chalkboard walls are really cool!). Oh and WiFi is nothing special, I've had some issues, but it might be my computer. Outlets are a little harder to find, and some along the window don't seem to work, but there's a surge protector upstairs as long as you don't think anyone will trip. That's my story. GREAT chai, so-so atmosphere, I'll come for my drink but maybe only stick around for a bit...

    (4)

  • Ashley D.

    Adorable artsy place with AMAZING chai. They even make an adorable leaf on the top of your coffee like in The Green Hornet- very impressive. Great place for a date, to do schoolwork, or just chat with friends. A bit pricey, but if you go to Starbucks at least give this place a chance once and you'll see how great the chai is. Even Starbucks can't compete with chai like that.

    (4)

  • Richard U.

    One of my favorite places to hit in the U-district for a warm beverage. This place has a nice feel to it. Very mellow and low key. They don't blast music so loud that you can't hear the music in your own headphones. The space is interesting with a second level with tables. They have a small but nice selection of loose leaf teas as well. I have not had but hear the chai here is pretty good. Servers are always very helpful with choices. I'll be back!

    (4)

  • Joel R.

    Trabant is one of the only shops in Seattle that I'm aware of serving Vancouver-based 49th Parallel coffee. Said coffee was quite tasty. The baristas were pretty nice as well, although slow. While the store itself is a bit dingy, it is probably the cleanest and nicest business on the U- side of 45th. The shop is open until midnight, which makes it appealing for late night writing sessions, but you could find yourself with a damned uncomfortable seat (like under the stairs) if you're not lucky. So Trabant's not much for comfort and atmosphere. I like the coffee, though.

    (3)

  • Jenny H.

    Tons of seating, the window seating has outlets for computers every few feet. Free wifi and friendly staff who don't push you out the door once you finish your drink. Their drinks were a miss, though. My partner's latte didn't taste like it had the right ingredients, and I tried the summer special flavored soda, and it was underwhelming. I'm certain that the staff would have gladly replaced my partner's drink if he asked, but he didn't. There are also board games to partake of!

    (3)

  • Evan J.

    On a warm day, ask for a "slam bradley". A formerly listed seasonal creation, now part of a so-called secret menu. You won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Puneet L.

    Don't quite understand the hype of this place. The coffee is average, the place inside is extremely claustrophobic and stuffy. If ur looking for a nice place to relax and do your work this isnt it.

    (2)

  • Jack E.

    Ugh. Well, maybe back down to three stars. I've been back a lot more lately, but my visits are started to feel overshadowed by the consistent whiny white people music and the general "I'm so on my shit and just the coolest" attitudes from the baristas (rather than the reality of, "Hey, you're a low paid coffee bitch, so serve me my shit with a smile and maybe I'll tip you," - people around here all need to take a field trip to Chicago - you'll learn to be nicer, and you'll learn you're really not cool at all, so drop the pretension, hicksville snob - you'd all be considered white trash where I'm from, so unless you want others to start treating you like shit, show a little more respect to the people that allow you a paycheck).

    (3)

  • Alli D.

    Fantastic space! I especially like the lofted sitting area and the game corner underneath the steps. Make sure you check out Candy Land (if it hasn't already been snagged by another customer, of course)! And order your coffee in one of the pretty blue mugs; they're sure to make your drink taste fancier. You know your coffee is going to be good when you see the barista sipping straight shots behind the counter. I mean, have you ever seen a Starbuck's employee do that? Methinks not. And, sure enough, my americano was delicious! I didn't have any pastries, but they serve Julia's vegan muffins and some other croissant-type stuff that looked pretty amazing. I'll have to come back again one morning when I don't already have a batch of cinnamon rolls in the oven at home. One other cool thing is the giving tree on the bar, where you can donate money for good causes, like "$10 to teach 4 farmers about sustainable farming" or "$100 to build a bathroom". I love it when a restaurant stands up for something! Their prices seemed a little high, but that's probably due to the fact that they are certified fair trade, so it's work the extra cash. Maybe the best part of this place, though, is the artwork on the outside--spacecrafts and astronauts (two of my favorite things, other than unicorns)!

    (5)

  • Jeanhee K.

    i love chai tea. It's like... a slice of pumpkin pie in a cup. I love Trabant's chai tea. It's like... a freshly baked slice of the best-pumpkin-pie-in-three-counties in a cup.

    (4)

  • Steve V.

    This was my first visit to Trabant and it was great overall. It is located in the University District. Drink: I had been told that some of the best clover coffee in Seattle is here, so that's what I tried. There were two coffee beans to pick from. The coffee was great - flavorful. So good, it didn't even need milk or cream. Very smooth. Ambiance: Very basic. If you are looking for a Starbucks feel, you are in the wrong place. When you enter, the counter is right in front of you. To the side, there are about 6 tables for seating and then a second level with additional tables. There was free wifi throughout the store. Outlets for powering your laptop were harder to come by. I saw outlets, but they were covered suggesting they were "out of order." Staff: I thought they could have been a little friendlier. Maybe it was because I was new to the store and unfamiliar with clover coffee...I don't know. Not unfriendly, but not a warm, welcoming feeling either. I know fellow Yelpers rave about this place. I thought it was good. But what it gained in location and quality coffee, it lacked in staff friendliness and ambiance. I would go back, but would also be willing to try other coffee shop options. Still, it is a good option for reading, working on your laptop or meeting with a friend.

    (3)

  • Dave C.

    Best Chai Tea I have ever had. Great job here guys.

    (5)

  • Eileen G.

    I use to love this place! The last time I had been here was probably over a year ago and they use to have all these awesome chai drinks like a mt. st helens and mt. everest. They were different combinations of chai and flavoring. I was looking for a tasty treat this morning and went and the menu board was completely different. No more interesting names, and no prices! I ordered a non fat mexican mocha which they were out of, so instead of having chocolate and cinnamon syrup mixed together (like the barista suggested) I changed my order to a chai. The barista made it except she didn't carry over the non-fat and the extra hot specifications of my order. I suppose I could have reiterated it, but she also could have asked.

    (2)

  • Brady G.

    They take their coffee seriously here. Lattes are great with perfect consistency. Nice to have a clover machine and a beer selection. The top level can get hot. Parking is difficult too. Sometimes I risk getting a parking ticket so I can get my fix.

    (5)

  • Brooke S.

    Quality and Consistency. Maybe good coffee shops hire people because they are passionate about and make good coffee, not because they have excellent social skills. Maybe the whole Seattle coffee snob hipster vibe is a reaction to the overly bubbly Starbucks baristas. Whatever it is, I don't really care because first and foremost I want a barista that knows how to make a freaking awesome cup of coffee. I don't want to have to peak in the window of my regular coffee shop to make sure a good barista is working before going in. At Trabant, although they have big windows, there's no need. Each shot is perfectly extracted and full of flavor.

    (5)

  • Natalie W.

    I love Trabant! I've been here twice, and both times everyone working there was very friendly and funny, quickly completing our orders even though the first time we had a group of about 6 people come in at once...and mind you, this is a pretty small shop. A great atmosphere to study or relax, and the drinks are simply delicious. And so pretty! I've heard the chai is very good, but both times I got the mexican hot chocolate - like regular hot chocolate, but creamier and more cinnamony. Simply amazing.

    (5)

  • Nath A.

    My visits to Trabant have become less frequent and less enjoyable. I still drop by for an occasional espresso, but the last few shots have been sour and generally not much fun.

    (4)

  • Mark M.

    Try the biscuits and gravy... seriously. May sound odd for a coffee shop but they make it every weekend and it's outstanding.

    (5)

  • Edward K.

    Places like Trabant are the reason why Seattle is known for its coffee. The coffee here is incredible. It makes me ask myself: What are they doing differently? Why doesn't my coffee taste like this when I make it? Whatever the answer may be, Trabant has the formula down. So why only three stars? I'll tell you why. The baker convinced me to try his quiche, swearing that it would be the best quiche I'd ever tasted. So I tried it, and tasted my stomach shortly thereafter. Eating their food is one mistake I won't make again!

    (3)

  • Noel E.

    I love this place. I' m UW student, and it's my favorite coffee shop to study in. Relatively quiet, but not TOO quiet (usually there's a buzz of chatter and some light music). The front walls are also mostly windows, so there's a lot of natural light in the daytime. Anyways, I've had their Ethiopian clover coffee, Americanos, Soy lattes, Chai, Apple Cider, their fabulous herbal Rooibos tea, and many other things I'm sure. Their espresso is great, and they make a mean americano. I love soy, but it's hard to get soy lattes that aren't burnt, and the only one I've gotten has been from Trabant! Yaaay. The chai isn't my style, as it's rather sweet, but as chai goes, it seems pretty dang good. Anyways the baristas are also very nice, and willing to help you out if you don't know what you want. A few of them give off the hipster vibe, but they're relatively friendly even so. Check it out!

    (5)

  • Hong N.

    If I could give it six stars I would. The chai is out of this world and the coffee is probably the best on the ave. Everyone who hasn't tried this place needs to, they are missing out!

    (5)

  • Lanny K.

    After handing over a substantial amount of money for bills just blocks away, I slipped in for some non-starbucks coffee. Large drip, please! $4. FOUR DOLLARS! I hate four dollar drinks. Four dollar drip coffee irritates me more than four dollar pbrs. in the immortal words of my best friend's dad: "HORSESHIT!"

    (1)

  • Mandy C.

    I have lived in Seattle for over 5 years now, went to UW, am quite fond of chai and had STILL never been to Trabant. How is this possible, you ask? I KNOW NOT, DEAR FRIENDS. I KNOW NOT. This unfortunate fact was remedied tonight when a friend & I decided we finally had to get our booties into Trabant. I asked the friendly barista man about the chai and that I was looking for the "quintessential chai experience." He said he recommended the traditional chai without any additional flavors so that's what I ordered. He even called my drink order out as "12 oz quintessential chai" and I snickered. The chai was very lovely and flavorful. A nice change from your usual Oregon Chai (which is good but I was looking for something more unique here). I savored the mild spice with nutmeg and/or cinnamon sprinkled on top. I really appreciated the kind baristas and how smiley they were. Give this place a try for your chai or espresso fix because they take it serious without taking themselves too seriously, if that make sense. :-)

    (4)

  • Emily M.

    In town for a wedding and stopped at Trabant for a pre-wedding pick-me-up. Atmosphere was cool, and the baristas know what they're talking about. You know a coffee place is legit when you see bags of 49th Parallel all around. The reason for only three stars is that I'm from San Francisco, and in my opinion, Trabant is (and many, many other similar coffee establishments are) mere Blue Bottle or Ritual wannabes. I got a Costa Rican drip, and it was fine. I expected more being in Seattle, but it did the trick. I'd go back.

    (3)

  • Kelly G.

    I am a UW student, and was first introduced to Trabant about a month into my freshman year, when the areas north of my dorm were still a foreign concept, and I was unused to any cafe besides Starbucks. A lot has changed then, but despite my adapting to the area and becoming a coffee fiend, Trabant remains my absolute favorite place both for amazing coffee and for studying late into the night. The baristas here are very professional and skilled, as well as being really fun people to chat with while you wait for your beverage. Trabant's chai is famous, and with good reason. Chocolate chai is a decadent treat that I absolutely can't resist in the colder months. Of course, their coffee is equally wonderful, if not better. I've sampled most of the menu in my time here, and never been disappointed. The space is airy and open, and the upper floor loft has great light. While the cafe is usually bustling, it's usually easy to find a free table. My only faint wish is that the furniture was a bit more comfortable and inviting, but compared up with how much else Trabant has going, that seems a trifling concern. This is pretty much the best coffee (and chai) place that I know in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Daranee O.

    $3.50 for a vanilla steamer?!? In my own cup?!? Never going here again. What a rip off.

    (2)

  • Rachel F.

    So I have had a few really great experiences at Trabant, I have had great spicy chai, delicious almond croissants, and even adopted an ice cream eating dinosaur. Sadly times have changed and Trabant is losing something, their Chais are still a dream and very efficient. I have the Chinook Book where there is a coupon for buy one lunch sandwich get one free. I had heard that they had really good sandwich that were interesting flavor combos like raisin bread, bacon, goat cheese, basil. So I go there one day and they are out of bread which was a little disappointing, but they explained that is was because they started buying there bread and told me that I could come back in an hour. I came back about a week later and ordered everything fine and found that I really like the sandwiches they have to offer here, but they take a very long time to come out of the kitchen, and when my sandwich came out of the Kitchen there was a really long dark very visible hair laced through my sandwich. I decided not to go on about it because it would take a long time for another sandwich to come out of the kitchen. But hair nets/ having your hair back is required for a reason. I came back for a sandwich and they told me that they weren't sure if they had sandwich materials and they ran out of the stuff to make a drink I was going to order, but they ended up having the sandwich materials and offered a good alternative to the drink I had in mind. I think I just lost a little confidence in them after having a few experiences where they have run out of stock in things so early in the day. All together they are pretty okay.

    (3)

  • Brittany S.

    This is one of the other Coffee places that I like to study at! Pros: Good coffee. The Best chai on the ave. Nice people. Chill, music volume is just right. They don't try to chase you out after you finish your coffee, nice! Internet connection, not bad. Cons: Drip coffee is expensive because it's made by the cup. (What if I'm trying to get some cheap caffeine darn it! jk). There are a fair amount of outlets. Upstairs you have to plug into the power strip. It can get extremely hot upstairs (odd) and I find it's hard to find a seat in the later hours. Downstairs when the door is open, the cigarettes smell is strong when there are people smoking by the bus stop (I hate the smell). Haha, it seems like there's more Cons than pros but it's just I have more to say about the cons! It's one of my more preferred spots to study when I'm willing to make the walk. FYI not much to eat here, just a couple of mediocre pastries. Tips? Grap a seat/table before you order your drink!!

    (4)

  • Bill F.

    Hooray! I only seem to run in and our of here between times at work and running between locations at the University. I make a special trip for the Clover-pressed coffee, because I can be a coffee snob. Oddly, while I enjoy the oversaturation of flavor from their Clover, I can also survive on drip (especially in the bad economy). Wish I had more time to bask in their place, but I never do. The staff is very helpful.

    (4)

  • Kimberley D.

    I'm a stereotypical Seattle coffee snob. The snobbiness extends to chai. When it comes to chai, this place doesn't eclipse morning glory / mr. spot's chai house in my heart, but it's still quite good. In particular the black forest is esp. tasty. The employees are friendly, they're open late, and I love that they support fair trade.

    (4)

  • Jessi M.

    I love Trabant. I am not a coffee person. In this city full of them, I often feel like an outcast. The chai here makes me feel like I belong. The baristas are always really nice to me, including a hilarious duo of red-haired guy and his dark-haired companion. I enjoy chatting with them as my chai is made, which is generally the part of the interaction that I find the most awkward. I go for the spicy chai, personally. The creamy chai is nice if you want more of the milk flavor with only a hint of spice. I enjoy the spices to really sing, and the spicy chai does that. They have a good variety of drinks, though, and I plan on trying the Mexican Hot Chocolate next. They don't have a huge selection of food, but they usually have at least a few pastries. Most recently I had an apple turnover, which was pretty tasty. The decor is fun, though not as cozy as it could be, but it fits. There are plenty of high bar seats, and the free wifi means you usually see a few laptops spattered about. Overall, this is great. I went there twice today.

    (5)

  • Zerina C.

    I had to remove a star because they broke my heart a couple weeks ago. I just recently fell so madly and deeply in love with their Mount Rainier Cherry Chai--it was a romance that started while I went out on a lunch date with a friend of mine a year ago--and now they've left me heartbroken. Apparently they don't carry cherry syrup anymore, and the closest they've got was raspberry. It just wasn't the same. In any case, if you're a fan of chai, this is the place to be! Their coffee is very rich and delicious, so I highly recommend you take a stop by Trabant regardless of your taste. I'm sure you'll find something you'll be happy with on the menu :) Otherwise, it's a pretty chill place to have lunch in. I've studied there a couple of times, and the atmosphere doesn't have all the frills of Starbucks. I love the upstairs! Very hipster feel, if you're into that. I'm not really all that fond of Cafe Solstice; I'd pick Trabant over them any time. I can actually HEAR people when they talk over the music here :)

    (4)

  • Tony B.

    Pros: Mexican Mocha, Chai, All Spice Dream & clover coffee! Cons: A little overpriced, but not much for what u get. Will I Return?: Yes.

    (4)

  • L H.

    My friend loves chai and lives right across the street, so I've visited Trabant far more often than I would have liked. The staff knows their coffee, that's for sure. But it seems to come at the price of service-which is at best indifferent. I've been told 2 hours before closing that they were no longer serving drinks in mugs, they've been out of chocolate for mochas, and generally ignored. Their black coffee is wonderful and fresh. And because it's made individually from their Clover, you can pick your beans. However, it makes it a pricey low-cost option.

    (1)

  • Andrew K.

    Cool spot. Spicy vegan chai rocked.

    (4)

  • Glen J.

    The Trabant Coffee & Chai is one of my favorite coffee places because of its location. It is located pretty much close to the corner of 45th and University street which is pretty much the go through hub of the University district. If you stand in this location long enough you will end up seeing someone you know or knew. Trabant Coffee & Chai has a really great selection of coffee, mocha's and lattes in which to fortify your caffeine cravings. The seating is very good, though there are days when the place is packed full of students cramming for their exams, but most of the time you can always find a place to sit and enjoy your beverage. The people operating the place, and serving drinks are all hip, friendly, handsome, or cute. I think this prerequisite is written somewhere as a "must" in the job description. The music is always fairly loud, but its good music so most of the patrons don't mind. The WiFi internet service is fast and friendly. I've never had a problem establishing a connection, and I've never experienced a dropped connection that seems prevalent in many other WiFi enabled coffee houses. My only beef with Trabant Coffee & Chai is that there aren't enough power outlets for people to plug in their laptops, and to the left of the cashier counter is an outlet that has been disabled for 6 months, which is annoying, but with that said this is the only negative about the place that I can think of. As I type this I am sitting up near the window so I can watch the flow of traffic, and people getting on and off buses. The cafe right now isn't all that full, and the music that's playing right now with its rhythmical, and sensual, throbbing beat feels just right for this moment in time. I don't know what this song is, but the lyrics keep saying something about "Blue Skies" ,but I can't understand the rest of the words. I'm going to have to find out what the name of this song is so I can purchase it. There's nothing like that good coffee house feeling where you feel like you can kick your feet up, and really relax and study, or write a novel, or just space out and watch the world in motion around you. I like that feeling, which is why I always return to Trabant Coffee & Chai. Oh, BTW I'm drinking a 20 ounce, double latte just in case you were wondering...

    (5)

  • katherine s.

    I don't get it. The drinks aren't that good and are VERY overly sweet. You can get chai, jasmine chai and early grey milk tea that are better at the ugly mug. I guess the location and wi fi are nice, but you can get wi fi almost anywhere on the ave, including the ugly mug. meh.

    (2)

  • Anora K.

    It can be a little intimidating in here and it IS a little pricey. free wi-fi is super nice, the coffee seemed ok,

    (3)

  • Molly G.

    Visiting UW w/the BF since he graduated from there, this place is pretty close to campus! Thanks for the buttons, Alex!

    (5)

  • Brendan M.

    I just had the most lovely cup of Ethiopia Sidamo coffee here! It was freshly ground and brewed to order in the Clover brewing machine, and ready just a couple minutes later. There was a pronounced acidity at the front and sides of my tongue, which gave way to notes of lemon and some other flavors I cannot recall. I always appreciate a coffee with bold acidity. The roast was dark enough that my coffee actually tasted like coffee, always a plus when so many independent roasters (I'm looking at you, Stumptown) tend to under-roast their coffee. There were plenty of open places to sit, especially upstairs, which is comfortable despite the incandescent track lighting right in your face. When I was finished, I didn't see a bus tub anywhere for dishes, so I left my dishes at the front counter; the baristas were very friendly. I still wouldn't go to Trabant for iced coffee or an iced Americano, but their lattes and brewed coffee are as good as I've had anywhere.

    (4)

  • Bonnie C.

    Go to Trabant if you want: - Very sweet chai drinks (sweet enough that you can't really identify that it's chai) - Quaint open mic nights - Fair trade organic shade grown completely PC coffee - to be very warm - to be around a lot of college students, and to possibly share a table with some since it's usually crowded I used to like Trabant a lot more when I was an undergraduate (surprised?), and every once in a while, espcially when I want a sweet treat or someone else is buying, I'll stop in. But now that I have an office, studying in a loud crowded coffee shop has lost a lot of its charm. Still, they have good music and I do think it's a nice place to meet up with people if you're in the U-District.

    (3)

  • Elisabeth H.

    Terrible banjo music. Sold me a cup of coffee that's been sitting on the back burner for hours...for three whole free-trade dollars. My friend's dirty ice chai was mighty tasty.

    (2)

  • Melissa S.

    Stick with the chai! The best chai I've ever had, and you can get different flavors (I've tried vanilla and caramel - caramel is definitely my fav ;) I went in today for a coffee to switch it up and because they have fair trade Guatemala coffee. I have to say it wasn't that great. && I think it was the way it was made, not the coffee itself. The space is big and great for studying (if it's not busy). I've had good experiences studying upstairs, but downstairs the coffee grinding can get really distracting. Employees here have good customer service and are open to making suggestions - which is a good thing when they have multiple options.

    (4)

  • Hilary B.

    So amazing. Coffee is wonderful and people really nice. Plus, awesome seating and lots of it (it gets busy though), and good hours -- open til midnight. I'm a regular.

    (5)

  • Alex Z.

    Some of the best coffee in Seattle... if you actually drink coffee. Some people go here, get a chaiwalla or whatever, and then complain that it's "too sweet" and has no flavor. They're right. The chaiwallas suck. Sorry Trabant. The coffee, however, is incredible. Trabant's blackcat espresso has the most amazing aroma and taste of any espresso on the ave. Never acidic, never dry, never with the harsh aftertaste of some of the other cafes. I highly recommend the Americanos there. Don't add any sugar or milk, you won't need to because the coffee itself is rich and sweet. Trabant was also one of the first cafes in the world to have a Clover auto-french-press machine, and still operates it. It gives some interesting tones, although now that some Starbucks have them its not as novel. I still love this place for the live music on weekends and the friendly baristas. Now that the second floor is open there is a lot more seating space. A fun place to gather with friends or work, if you don't mind the noise and the fact that it gets a little hot in the summer. Also, for those who work on laptops, a lot of the electrical outlets in Trabant are actually dead, especially those towards the "middle" of the shop. Not sure why this is, but I hope they will introduce more extension cords for those who like to work here.

    (5)

  • Cathy G.

    Yum Yum Yum Yum This is a wonderful, quiet place to have divine chocolates and coffee. The chocolates are so mouth-watering. Try just one. Oh forget that bs.. buy 5! Eat one, then another.. then linger eating another as you hav ecoffee and absorb the atmosphere. You still have 2 for family and friends and you look like a saint! See you there!

    (5)

  • Brittany B.

    I wanted to like this place, but I just don't. Its overpriced and the atmosphere sucks. The coffee is good, as it should be for those prices, but it's just not a place that makes me want to come back. EVER.

    (2)

  • Swetha N.

    I just love them! It's a great place to meet someone over coffee or just do homework. The spicy and creamy chai here are my favorite. A frequent hangout spot for my husband and me latenight. They close at midnight - bummer. But just glad that they are open after 9 pm.

    (5)

  • Hope R.

    the creamy chai is awesome. i don't drink coffee and i like my drinks sweet, but this didn't taste fake or too sweet. big fan i had the BGB sandwich too, which was fantastic, it put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. the only downside is that i thought it was way too small for $8. i also thought the tiny side salad was kind of pointless. it was great, but i'm glad i had the lunch coupon.

    (4)

  • Alan F.

    Some of the best coffee I've had in Seattle came from Trabant. Some of my most productive moments were while hunched over my work at their tables with a tea or Americano or some amazing Papa New Guinea java beans brewed before my very eyes. Direct-trade Clover single-cup brewed coffee, creative chai concoctions, work-conducive setup, excellent baristas, and central U-District location are all reasons I keep coming back. Make sure you go to one of the free coffee tastings, and sample all the goods.

    (5)

  • Dennis C.

    What an unexpected find. Normally, I refer to Yelp for assistance in finding good places to eat or drink when I'm on the road. But on my recent trip to Seattle, I found myself needing coffee after arrival from my 6 am departure flight. Just a ways across the street from the hotel I was staying in was Trabant. The concierge of the hotel suggested I get my needed dose of legalized stimulant from Trabant and proclaimed in a school girl way how much she loved their chai. Not being a fan of chai, of any sort, I did not have high expectations. I resigned myself to an average cup of coffee and figured I could look for truly good coffee places online, when I had the time. This was Seattle, after all. What I didn't expect, but what I did in fact receive, was one of the best cups of coffee I've ever had. Those super-duper Clover machines really do brew good coffee. Ethiopian sidamo was good and, for a sweeter drink, I liked the Mexican mocha. I wound up dropping in every morning that I was in Seattle. Nice place for a cup of coffee, armed with the morning paper or if you want to look over your emails for the day.

    (5)

  • Irina Y.

    Worst customer service I have had in years. Came in with a friend during lunch to grab a coffee while we ate lunch, figured since I got coffee I could eat the food I brought with me. The barista was rude, instead of kindly coming up to us and telling us we were not supposed to eat outside food she yelled it across the coffee shop after I had sat down with my coffee and left a tip! I created a yelp account just to review this place. The coffee was great, but I will not be visiting again anytime.

    (1)

  • Te R.

    their coffee was nice and fine. but i was impressed with how generous they were with wifi and power outlet. you will be wifi-equipped and powered the whole time. feel free to drag that old ass computer that passes out every 20 minutes. you will do just fine here :)

    (4)

  • Nick B.

    The chais are amazing here...so amazing that I've never gotten any coffee here. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed and I love sitting either at the bar by the windows or upstairs with a nice view (for people stalking...I mean watching) while enjoying a frothing spicy chai. Some days have open mic night with your usual mixture of quite talented individuals to those who sound like a cat getting a root canal. I highly recommend you go to one of these nights for some great entertainment with some great chai!

    (5)

  • Lisa N.

    I lost my yerba maté-ginity here way back in 05 and have since returned for amazing lattes, spicy Mexican mochas, and yes: delicious chai! I like sitting upstairs and just reading or studying for hours on end. Their staff is knowledgeable about the coffee and chai that they're serving you-- I heard they have to go to some sort of training to work there? Anyway, service is friendly, drinks are great, and the atmosphere is awesome! Much love.

    (4)

  • Amie S.

    I am a huge fan of chai. To me, good chai tastes like a gingerbread cookie in liquid form. Trabant has my absolute favorite chai ever, with a perfectly smooth, creamy consistency and just the right balance of sweet and spicy. If I get a chai craving on a dreary day, sometimes no other kind will do. It's the perfect potion for making me feel about 8 years old again. I face inner turmoil over whether to make funny mustaches with the frothy foam, or lick every single speck of it off the inside of the cup. I usually opt for the latter, and then congratulate myself on both chai conservation and dish cleaning. It's a small space, but there is a fair amount of seating. Being in the U District, it seems more geared toward people looking for a place to plug in and study (single seating), but there are a few tables big enough for a group, and some couches. Local music and art are hosted here, as well. The sound system isn't that great, but it can be a nice intimate setting for hearing some mellow tunes whilst sipping on your velvety aphrodisiac.

    (5)

  • Steven A.

    best...iced...latte...ever.

    (5)

  • Alex G.

    This place has great chai and what is great about it is that you can get it in so many different flavors. It is very creamy and very flavorful, and their lattes are good too. Neat in-the-city atmosphere with ample seating including a loft area. Pretty good music in the background too. Access to outlets is not great, but there are some. Very clean restrooms is a plus!

    (5)

  • Rebecca C.

    This place is awesome. The bagels are the closest thing I've had to a real bagel since leaving New York (if you know of even better, let me know!). The coffee is great, the people are pleasant, and they regularly play Motown. I'm a fan.

    (5)

  • Brien H.

    The thing about Trabant that really sets it apart is the menu choice that I've not seen anywhere else: Chaiwalla. What is a Chaiwalla, you ask? Trabant mixes different flavor powders with their Chai mix, and it gives the resulting beverage an incredibly creamy, rich flavor that will wow you. I guarantee it- there's a flavor here to make anyone say "Chaiwalla = yum." Try them all. The ambience is cool but I think the space could be utilized better. The upstairs is awkwardly isolated from the rest of the store, and feels like an attic (albeit a trendy one) with the low wood ceiling. The downstairs has a feel remniscient of the lounge area in my highschool hallway, making enjoying the weekly live music a bit uncomfy unless you sit on the floor by the stage. Yay for frequent customer punchcard rewards.

    (4)

  • Susy W.

    I remember just when Trabant opened, I was hesitant to get the chai here. However, the friendly baristas made some great recommendations (intimidating when you have so many options!). Soon after, I was coming here to watch my friend perform, to study, to chat, etc... I really like Trabant, and miss it since moving out of the UDistrict!

    (5)

  • Marissa B.

    First of all, full disclosure: I am friends with the owners. Secondly - I've been coming here since before I knew them by name. When they were still just a Chai place. When they still had the shaggy orange couch. This place is a Seattle stalwart and deservingly so. Let's enumerate the ways: -really well-pulled coffee -they have a Clover and yes, you can get your coffee from it -three jillion flavors of chai -real yerba mate -consistently friendly un-diva like baristas -commitment to direct trade (an alt to fair trade) and direct exchange and support of farmers in central/south america (more on that here: thestranger.com/seattle/… ) -great location by the American Apparel bus stop -late hours...midnight on some nights -consistent open mike and music programming -cool modern chairs and a new upstairs! You'll find this to be some of the best coffee in Seattle!

    (5)

  • Arthur K.

    Trabant is probably the best cup of coffee in Seattle. They are dedicated to the craft and have yet to pull me a mediocre cup. I haven't tried the teas yet, but have heard from many that it's top notch.

    (5)

  • mark l.

    I've been a regular at Trabant for about half a year now, so obviously they're doing something right. For the most part, friendly staff. Upstairs is uncomfortably warm for me. Sometimes they have live music/open mic which is unique. Can get a little too loud and certainly not ideal for studying or listening to your own music. All in all, a nice place with amazing chai and coffee. Play some chess or take it back with a game of Candyland.

    (4)

  • Lane R.

    This place is one of the few in u-district that consistently delivers good espresso every time. All of their drinks get a perfect rating. The space is set up for productivity, so bring papers and your laptop. I like that this place does not have a chill area or couches to distract anyone. The layout of the building is fun too because from the second floor you can watch people below and from the bar seats you can look out the window.

    (5)

  • Andrew C.

    The first place I tried Intelligentsia coffee back in 2006, and first place I tried 49th Parallel when they switched roasters. With all the native Seattle roasters, it's cool to have a place that offers something different from Vancouver, BC. The espresso is high quality.

    (4)

  • Cory B.

    The only coffee shop in the U-District I can get comfortable in. Chill music on the stereo, wifi that doesn't drop every three seconds, and baristas who are courteous and fast. And often cute as hell. Plus fantastic chai. That's Trabant. Don't sit outside in front of 45th, it's too noisy. Go inside and groove to the music. And don't listen to anyone else -- The Cosmonaut mural kicks ass.

    (4)

  • Kellen F.

    Super friendly staff and a great atmosphere. I go here a lot to work on stuff. It's pretty laptop friendly, great coffee and apple cider too.

    (5)

  • Felecia C.

    I study here a lot. Probably too much. But I guess that's a sign that Trabant is doing something right for me. Must be the good coffee, free wifi, ample electrical outlets (except for the one to the left of the counter that doesn't work - please fix it!), amiable baristas, decent seating, and a soundtrack that is just the appropriate amount of pretentious.

    (5)

  • Carissa M.

    The espresso had a very lovely and bright kind of flavor. Milk was steamed to perfection. Not too hot or luke warm, with plenty of foam. One of the people was working that day used the clover machine to brew me up a cup of the Burundi I was checking out. It was so yummy and floral tasting I knew it would make it a perfect breakfast coffee. The barista whipped up my tasty drink (8 oz. Double Hazelnut Latte) before the bus got there so I was happy. They care about the customers here even if there just popping in and out looking to get there latte on. Cool atmosphere here, youthful and exuberant blue walls. I really enjoyed my experience here and will return if I return to the gorgeous and magical city of Seattle.

    (4)

  • Ryan D.

    Let me start off by saying, that while I live in Seattle and therefore bleed coffee, I don't usually find myself attracted to paying $4 for the stuff at a local Starbucks or Tullys. Trabant coffee, is something entirely different. Trabant is famous for their chai, and with good reason. For only $3 a cup (it comes in their specially hand-crafted mugs) you can get the most amazing blends, ordered from an ingredient menu akin to Jamba Juice. I was unaware Chai came in so many different flavors and styles. The cup also comes with a whip cream design on the top, a nice little decorative touch to top off the experience. The baristas were all very nice and helpful. I usually ask for a professional's opinion when I am temporarily out of my element and the one's here were quick to point out just how amazing the hazelnut chai is. After we grabbed a table, we were treated to live music from a local artist, no cover songs are allowed to be played here, I guess the RIAA came down hard on a few local shops that offer live music. That just means all the music is original, which is refreshing. The live music was good, Nathan Ryan was the artist (shoutout!) and he gave us a free CD and we coaxed him into autographing it. I ended up staying 2 hours longer than I intended, it was that great of an atmosphere. If you are looking for the best chai in Seattle, with nice baristas and great live music, look no further than Trabant coffee. Prices are also extremely reasonable for coffee in Seattle, something I wasn't used to seeing. 5 stars, I'm going back.

    (5)

  • Robert R.

    I'm one of those people who only appreciates coffee as a late-night study aid; when I actually want a delicious drink, I head to Trabant and order up 16 ounces of their seasonal salted caramel chai. I'm new to Seattle, so this single drink has propelled Trabant to the very top of my list of favorite coffee shops. Stop by and try it - I'm going to have a crisis when it goes out of season.

    (5)

  • Amanda L.

    This place is awesome! Being open late for the college kids, I visit frequently. The atmosphere is nice but not comfortable enough to fall asleep in while trying to study. Their chai is great, but their Mt. Rainer is the best. It's not on the menu but if you like your coffee sweet and creamy, you should definitely try it out. It's the one drink that sold me. You can be walking around town and randomly think, "oh man.. I really want a Mt. Rainer" and all of a sudden, you'll find yourself in the U district buying one.

    (4)

  • Lilly A.

    Definitely one of my favourites, however I don't come by here enough. Baristas are really nice, aren't your typical u-dist coffee snobs. I love the mexican mochas and the space itself is really nice as well.

    (4)

  • Linda L.

    Just had a latte and it was average. Should have tried the chai

    (3)

  • Adrienne H.

    Sweet Jesus I forgot how good the coffee is here. Just got a latte and am now sitting in the front bay windows people-watching. Their espresso is like a punch in the mouth. But a good one. Now if only it would snow again...

    (5)

  • Nathan R.

    Great coffee, great folks, great tunes on the weekends and great atmosphere for being on 45th. Chef recommends!

    (5)

  • Kevin P.

    I love coming here because I know I'll always get a nice cup of coffee and be greeted with friendly baristas. The coffee here is excellent as well as the chai. I can't vouch for the pastries because I'm not really into pastries anyway. This place is typically easy to find seating during most hours of the day, but can become quite busy really quickly. I've been going here for a couple years now and still enjoy the Almond Bliss Chai. The atmosphere is really nice and makes a good place to study, although the lighting isn't the best sometimes. Try the Mexican Mocha!

    (5)

  • Trevin C.

    As with most other places in the U District, this place has a fantastically laid back atmosphere. Top that with great espresso and the pre-requesite free wifi and multiple power outlets, and you have the makings of a wonderful Seattle coffee shop. Interesting fact -- Trabant owns one of those famous $11,000 Clove coffee machines that is all the rage these days. Coffee from these machines have been reported to be selling for nearly $20/cup in Chicago! Trabant does a great job feature the work of local artists as well and since they have a ton of wallspace, you get a great sample of each artist's work. Monday nights can get a bit noisy since they have a regularly occuring open mic night. So if you're thinking about reading, studying or working here on Mondays, forget about it. Ironically I've never had Chai there...

    (5)

  • Camille W.

    Great place for reading/studying and plenty of seating with the split levels. The creamy chai latte with soy, is the best chai latte I've ever had every time. I also tried the spicy chai latte with soy which good, but I prefer the creamy chai. They also keep it a great temperature inside when it was cold and rainy outside.

    (5)

  • Jenny D.

    I love Trabant Chai - it makes me feel cool to introduce this place to newcomers in the city (or uninformed college students i.e my boyfriend) because they always fall in love. Drinks: Besides the fair-trade coffee and teas (and those beautiful lattes!), they have the most amazing chaiwallas ever! The hazelnut chai...mmm heaven. The Mt. St Helens - also amazing! Food: Short selection of cookies & bars and things. Pretty tasty, but nothing spectacular. Service: The cashiers are friendly and they make your coffee pretty damn fast. Ambiance: Very laid back, but has a funky vibe. The best place to sit by far is on the top balcony. Also has free wifi. Price: Very fair. The chaiwallas run about $3.50 for a 12oz so not something you want to buy everyday.

    (5)

  • Frank P.

    Best coffee i've had. Try the El Salvador brew... it might change how you look at things.

    (5)

  • Ireina B.

    I used to like this place- years ago. Every time I go there now, the baristas are so rude. Not to mention all the freshman girls go there now, and they're really annoying/loud. Sorry girlies...

    (2)

  • Marjorie Stewart B.

    The Chai is so amazing and same goes for the coffee. The initial price threw me off guard but once I took my first sip it all evened out. A little pricey but worth it, even if just for one visit, which I guarantee will have you hooked. Also free wifi at this location which is nice.

    (5)

  • Dan K.

    Great cup of coffee. The barista was very passionate when it came to his cup of coffee. He spent time to explain the awesomeness of their drip machine and the microfilter and the pistons creating high pressure to filter the coffee through the microscopic film, blah blah. Point being, it was cool to see the guy was serious about his coffee, unlike 99% of the baristas in SD. The coffee was aromatic and satisfying for the gloomy, wet morning. It was, however, the most I've ever paid for a 12 oz. coffee (can be upwards of 3-4 dollars). I also had the chai on a different visit and it wasn't so bad. Could've been hotter though. 4/5

    (4)

  • Allysa Luna A.

    Let me first state that I am no coffee expert/snob, etc. The only thing I know about coffee is how to drink it. I love me my Trabant! I am here at least once a week getting my vanilla latte fix... once in a while I'll indulge in one of their yummy, buttery chocolate chip cookies. I always order "for here" because I love drinking my latte from their mugs... I get my foam 'stache and my fancy coffee foam design that the barista creates. The service is consistent and friendly. I think I'm addicted. Way to go, Trabant... way to go!

    (4)

  • Michael K.

    Smart, well informed baristas, the best technology and first rate coffees make this a prime spot for 3rd wave coffee in Seattle. They have a Clover, they brew coffee from 49th Parallel in Vancouver, and they can answer any question put to them. The Ethiopian Beloya brewed by the Clover, although pricey, was unrivaled. A new peak in my personal coffee experience. All the chops without any pretense. This place rocks.

    (5)

  • Simon T.

    Really good chai, as well as other drinks. If you don't mind the hipster baristas who look like they just rolled out of bed (however, they are very nice which makes up for it), then try Trabant. Prices are about a 25 cents higher than I'd like to pay, but you really can't get chai this good anywhere else.

    (4)

  • chris m.

    Coffee was quality, and they were open late which is worth huge points - wasn't super happy with the vibe though? dunno - will try again...

    (4)

  • Kaitlyn M.

    I swear by this place. The chai is so good. It's like dessert in a 12 oz mug. Yum. The coffee is great too. I opted for an iced vanilla latte on a whim one day. I wasn't expecting much but it really was so, so good. Also, live music every once in a while and open mic night on Monday nights are usually pretty entertaining. They are expanding too - adding an upstairs section which I am looking forward to because tables fill up fast in the evenings. They also have notebooks lying around that are for the customers to fill up with whatever writing, drawings, and general nonsense they see fit to share with the world. They are pretty fun to read. Oh yeah, free wifi and 2 computers available for customers. Basically I could, and do, spend hours at this place. Enjoying the chai, the music, and occasionally getting some of my work done...

    (4)

  • Niko B.

    Really chill place. I walked in looking for some coffee beans to buy and I was greeted by two friendly employees. They took their time explain the different beans, how they were made, what they tasted like and the best way to enjoy them. They even offered me free samples of each blend! Unfortunately, there weren't many beans to choose from and their selection was a bit pricey... $15-18 per pound. It was totally worth it though. I got a pound of expresso beans, which ranks among the best I have ever tasted. Can't wait to try another batch!

    (4)

  • Amber R.

    Trabant has long been my favorite coffee place in Seattle. Their Mexican Mochas change my days entirely. Pretty expensive, but they have good coffee purchasing practices so I feel OK with it. They got 4 stars from me for two reasons: 1.) The staff is mostly made up of self-absorbed hipsters that have rolled their eyes at me on many occasions. I work in the service industry so I'm generally pretty friendly with my fellow industry people and tip well, so I feel like these high horse attitudes are un-called for. 2.) The last 5 or so times I've been there they've gotten my order completely wrong. Once they got it wrong twice in a row. Usually this seems to be because they are chatting with their friends while taking your order. I don't have a specific order (12 oz Soy Mexican Mocha), and I get the same thing every time. Last time I went I heard the person on the cash register tell the wrong thing to the barista so I said "Oh, whoops I meant ____." and he said "I know." Eye roll. I got the wrong drink. Bottom line: You'll probably like whatever wrong drink they give you because it's all delicious, but you'll have to put up with high prices and bad attitudes.

    (4)

  • Rachel L.

    Ick. They changed the chai they use to the powdered junk. It's awful. cloyingly sweet and smells like gas station bathroom deodorizer. Stick with the coffee here, which is still delicious.

    (2)

  • francez M.

    This is absolutely my favourite coffee spot. It wouldn't be a trip to Seattle without a run to Trabant. On my last trip to Seattle, I stayed at the Hotel Decca and could dash out the door and up the street...happy, happy, me! The coffee is probably the best that I have ever had, and I have had many. No place in San Francisco comes close. The froth is perfection. The baristas "real" and friendly. I only wish that I could experience Trabant more often. I'm loving Seattle more and more.

    (5)

  • Jacob S.

    Hella tight coffee place. Multiple dark corners on offer. Light on the vibes (klang-y music, study groups, hirsute regulars of questionable mental stability, what-have-you), which makes it a good environment for doing productive things with your laptop.

    (5)

  • John J.

    The best chai teas I've had anywhere, their Chaiwallas are so yummy! The coffee and chai are guilt free because of fair trade practices, if that's your bag. If you like your chai teas on the spicy side, Trabant's not for you. Me: The metro 49 stops directly in front of Trabant and their chai tea lattes (called chaiwallas) are packed with flavor and out of this world. Also a great spot for a first or second date, given the uniqueness of the flavors and the very sit-down-and-talk-able interior design.

    (5)

  • Richard L.

    My default coffee shop. Quality coffee with a convenient payment system that allows you to add money to an account with out dragging another payment card around. Perhaps too convenient. The staff is laid back and friendly. The espresso is top notch but doesn't quite match the smoothness of stumptown, vivace or herkimer. They do have a "clover" coffee machine that I believe substitutes for drip or french press coffee. The clover gives you a chance to sample their other coffee varieties. They have ample seating on the ground floor and even have a loft area. There is an outdoor table, but it faces 45th - not exactly the most peaceful of streets. There is free WiFi too.

    (5)

  • Zach H.

    The coffee is absolutely incredible -- some of the best in the U-District. The atmosphere is great with great internet and two floors of seating for your beverage-drinking pleasure. They will even draw a skull in the foam of your mexican mocha. I couldn't live without this place.

    (5)

  • Erin W.

    A great coffee shop with big windows for people watching on 45th, located next to Zanadu comic shop (in case you want to go get some comics and read them there, how convenient). Their mochas/cocoas/chai drinks are delicious. They probably have the best mocha in town, no joke. And in the summer, the iced Mexican mocha chai is my fave. There are two floors (one is more of a loft), and a lot of tables. It's pretty quiet, so a good place to read or study. They have fancy schmancy whole bean coffee you can buy. Sometimes there's good music and the staff range from polite to very friendly.

    (4)

  • Theo S.

    I really like the coffee from this place. They have a Clover machine from before Starbucks bought out the company and it totally makes the coffee. The barista's were friendly and very knowledgeable and interested in their coffee. Big and open coffee shop with lots of power outlets.

    (4)

  • Amanda D.

    Great place to get Chai!

    (4)

  • Sarah C.

    So, I avoided this place for the first two years of my undergraduate career because from the outside it looked like a place that weird "i'm a coffee snob who likes only indie underground music and shopping next door at american apparel" people would like. But i was actually pleasantly surprised that the baristas were friendly and the coffee was amazing! They even do cool, cute little designs in your latte! However, I'm keen for more of a comfy-looking coffee shop, with big cushy chairs and the like. This place was not very cozy looking. Get your coffee and then go sit in Hotel Deco to drink it!

    (4)

  • David E.

    Best chai in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Marta W.

    A piece of art served in a bright blue cup. I frequently sit in the loft of this hipster U district cafe sipping on a perfect hazelnut chai to escape the rain and get a caffeine fix before work. The place for listeners of local and indie music.

    (5)

  • David A.

    Open late, great coffee. They take a lot of care to make the best here and it shows. The coffee is very expensive though ($2.50-$3 for an 8 oz. cup, more for bigger size), and it takes a long time to prepare due to each cup being made on the clover machine. The place has a sort of "Cap Hill" vibe: beautiful, just-a-bit-too sophisticated people all standing around talking about their fixies and smoking American Spirits too close to the door. I give it three stars: the coffee is good, but the price and the place, not so much.

    (3)

  • Vegan B.

    What a great place. Wonderful for vegans. Just specify you want your chai made vegan and you can pick soy or rice. They can make 15-20 flavors of chai and you can have it hot, blended, or iced. Great atmosphere as well. Check 'em out. And, yes, they have coffee too. :)

    (5)

  • Gary T.

    I can't give a very comprehensive review of this place as I'm addicted to their chai and haven't tried any other drinks. That's some damn tasty chai. It's the sweet variety, which I like, and is second only to Cedar's (and Taste of India's) chai. The people are really nice too. I pop in from work, so I don't take advantage of the free wifi or hang around for the night life.

    (4)

  • The-Hoa H.

    Let's see here... well a coworker of mine was wanting to hang out on the ave and recommended I try this coffee shop, claiming that they had the best coffee in seattle....and considering the fact that I had become an avid coffee drinking machine from working at starbucks I walked into trabant feeling confident that I could down a couple of shots of espresso...afterall I take about 5-8 shots a day at starbucks every time I work....but let me tell you that the espresso here is strong as hell!!! My good buddy bought me a 16 oz mocha.....hmmmm maybe similar to the mochas I get at starbucks? nope not at all....and although I love my mochas at starbucks this one really takes the cake in terms of quality...sure you could say that our mochas at starbucks are easy to drink because the flavor of our espresso is only hinted through the accompanying decadent flavors of rich sweet creamy mocha sauce and whipped cream...but the first thing you will notice with trabant's mochas are that they are acidic and raw as hell....the mocha is mixed straight with cocoa powder without any dilution of water to create a sauce....stirred with 4 shots of hand cranked espresso instead of 2 shots taht you would find at starbucks or tully's in a grande 16oz.....because well of course those hand crank espressos only go by shots of increments of 2....the default of whole milk was rich and creamy and was beautifully topped off by the crafty work of the barista behind the counter with a tree design......I got the coffee jitters the entire day from this single mocha like it was my first time trying coffee all over again....Maybe next time I come here I'll go for something with less than four shots in one cup to start off my day....but I gotta admit that their drinks are tasty as hell!

    (4)

  • Phillip S.

    Best chai ever! Get it with soy ;)

    (5)

  • Ann M.

    The chai is really good and the coffee will not disappoint.

    (3)

  • Joshua G.

    i first came here for the open mic. its a great place to go if you are a newbie to open mics because the patrons appear to be quiet and listening. actually, they're trying to do homework. the baristas take their espresso very seriously. i am not a connoisseur but they are certainly knowledgeable. the owners frequently work the bar themselves. the entire staff is friendly and personable. the furniture is very urban industrial and i would not suggest coming here to relax and read a novel. it seems to be a popular place with the quirky uw students and you will always see a bunch of kids doing homework on their macbooks. the chai here is mostly milky and can be very sweet and it seems to be their staple drink. but if you want to know what they are good at, i would stick to the cappuccino. also, if you take the time to get to know the staff, they will be happy to share with you their love of coffee.

    (4)

  • Philip L.

    Really good flavorful coffee. Not an especially cozy place to hunker down with a good book though.

    (3)

  • Lonny L.

    Dropped in during the afternoon and ordered a 16oz hazelnut chai and a 12 oz mexican mocha. (yes, two drinks. Studying for a midterm.) Price came out to over $8 for the two drinks. I love watching people craft beverages so I observed the barista in anticipation for the best part, coffee art. She looked like a pro doing it but when she was done, all I saw was white and brown blobs. I guess that's her style? Aside from the coffee "art", the flavor or the chai was pleasing. Full, spicy and flavorful unlike other brands I've had. Mexican mocha had a good 2 espresso shots. Nice kick of coffe and flavor. Will definitely come here again for chai and maybe try their vegan chai that has a slightly different flavor, as I was told.

    (4)

  • Ninja S.

    Across the street from Sureshot, this is a pretty different crowd. These are more students than not and are usually busy working. Live music on weekends and open mic on Mondays. The coffee here is nothing special. It's seems a cleaner cut venue from some of their coffee-purveying local peer establishments. Actually wait. The chai here is super good. Some of the very loud music is not so good and may which to be avoided. They have some kind of prepaid account thing which you give them money and they deduct your beverages from your store credit. Why? Store saving money on cc processing somehow? What's in it for me? I don't go here enough to find out.

    (3)

  • Hans N.

    I have spent many hours sitting in Trabant studying. Service is friendly and unfailingly great. The place is quite enough to study or talk--Trabant's baristas do not believe themselves to DJs, who must lay down a house beat at 150dB or inflict their latest underground band on the patrons. The atmosphere is light and fun; They are the quintessential neighborhood coffeehouse experience. They take great pride in their drinks. They serve Intelligentsia coffee, which works on a direct trade model (fair to the farmer), which you can also buy by the pound (usually roasted only a few days before). Their food selection is unfortunately limited, but their drink selection is pretty broad. Their signature drink, chai, is only the start. Trabant is open until midnight every night.

    (5)

  • Marijune D.

    A friend of a friend introduced me to this place a few months ago...I dream of their Soy Chai Latte's that's how delicious it is! Their soy latte's are soo frothy - I can't get that anywhere else. Not even at Uptown Espresso - and they're supposed to be known for their velvety foam. It's not too sweet, it's not too hot, it's heaven in your mouth...Thank you Trabant - I feen for your Soy Chai Latte's like a crackhead feens for heroine.

    (5)

  • Jessica W.

    I came here for the first time last week and I don't know, their chai was okay. The baristas were a little rude. I told them that it was my first time there and I asked what kind of chai they would recommend. and the girl at the registers rather impatient response was, "Uh, just get a chai" I asked for a recommendation not for her to just make a decision. I wanted to try something new since they are known for their Chai, but I left not anymore enlightened. So, overall this trabant was EH. Latte art doesn't make your drink taste any better.

    (2)

  • Nicholas B.

    For what advertises itself as a chai lounge this place sure pulls some damn good shots of espresso and knows how to foam milk like the best. That being said the chai is really good too so you've really got the best of both worlds here. The music is always great and during those times in Seattle when it is actually light out the windows let a lot of light in and life feels a lot less dreary. The wi-fi here is solid as well, I've spent many an afternoon here getting a bunch of work done and its never crapped out on me. One of the few good Ave cafes.

    (4)

  • Geoffrey R.

    My days off at the record store got switched!! Now I'm getting to the U-District everyday at about 8:30 (SCORE!!) So, I've been stopping here for a cappuccino every morning. It's pretty nice. I just got this huge book of the Complete Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, and It's pretty nice to crank up the monkees on the ol' I-pod, and read some sci-fi-comedy whilst preparing to deal with the finest music fans the U-D has to offer. The coffee is really good, the place is really clean, and the staff is very nice.

    (4)

  • Will H.

    Best chai in town, great coffee, music, and macs... just beware the 'electronic monk' on open mic night and you will never regret visiting this place.

    (5)

  • K C.

    great ambience, great WIFI! The Mexican Mocha is one of the best coffees I have had. I spent two days working from this coffee shop during Christmas time...loved it!

    (4)

  • Isaac M.

    The chai is really sweet, and kind of expensive (between about 3 and 5 dollars), but it is also satisfying. There are lots of different flavors, but I'm kind of indifferent regarding this fact. More importantly, this place is open every day, stays open until midnight (which ain't too bad for the ave), and has couches. The gray-blue walls are unobtrusive-looking, and there are two computers with internet for customers. If you plan on using one of these, however, be sure to bring some toothpicks, or at least your younger sibling; the keyboards are about the size of a video cassette. There's also live music in the evenings on a regular basis, with an open mic some nights as well. You don't need talent to sign up for one of these, believe me.

    (4)

  • Liz H.

    Trabant is the only chai place that I know of in North Seattle. It has great chai and espresso drinks...if you like Mexican hot chocolate (hot chocolate with cinnamon and other spices), order a Mexican Holiday chai. (I don't think it's on the menu anymore but it is realllly good.

    (5)

  • Amy C.

    I'm a huge fan of chai and trabant is my favorite place to get it. I haven't had any flavor I didn't like, but I think Mt. St. Helens is my favorite. The baristas are always nice and there are plenty of spots to sit, study, and chat.

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    Trabant has a Clover machine, which is a huge plus. Not too cozy, but great for getting together to study. Great coffee and the staff is very pleasant.

    (4)

  • Mateo d.

    They do pull a good shot here, and the baristas have been pretty nice, I'll defeintely give them that, but I don't think it's really a big winner. The atmosphere and price are what leave me feeling a little let down. Not that they shamelessly fleece you, but the fact that there are so many cheaper decent places nearby makes Trabant seem a little overpriced. Maybe it's just because I remember when they opened and it was so much cheaper. Now that it's well established prices have really risen. Also I get a really too-cool-for-school feeling every time I'm here (it's near a lot of friends, so I do end up here pretty frequently). There's lots of posturing hipsters and unconsciously loud speakers, which isn't bad, but sort of makes the place less comfortable. It might be a big redemption for others, but I'm not super into Clover, so it doesn't change my mind about the place. I say go to Bulldog if you just want coffee, go to Allegro if you want a nice atmosphere, or go to Na-Nung if you want a quiet place to relax. Trabant's shouldn't really be a destination. (The barista did pull restretto, though, which I appreciated, in all fairness).

    (3)

  • Melissa N.

    I work until 8 on Mondays and Thursdays and have a layover in the U District on my way home. I make a point to go to Trabant at LEAST once a week. At first it was just because the weather was SO COLD and I needed refuge... Now it's because I am ADDICTED to their soy chai. It's sweet and creamy and PERFECT. The staff is great, too.

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    Absolutely the very best latte I have ever had. Even went back several times over a 3-year period, and simply the best! Listen, I know my coffee. If you are a latte fan, you MUST go here at least once. I googled the highest rated coffee shops in King County and went to the top ten. This had the VERY BEST LATTE. No idea how their drip is, and never order anything with chocolate or flavors. Shots here are incredible too! Staff is nice, facility is nice, two seats out front. There are much better hang-out facilities/places, much better looking places, better customer service, etc... but these guys have the best shots and lattes. (I always get a latte). U District parking sucks, but it's not their fault. BEST COFFEE IN KING COUNTY (best in the USA then?)

    (5)

  • Matt K.

    Trabant is addicting. The chai drinks are absolutely yummy - my favorite is the Almond Bliss wtih soy. The atomosphere is typical for the U District, which is to say that is not your typical Seattle coffee joint. The place can be packed, but if you are a Wi-Fi'er there are lots of power outlets. Now truth be told, I AM good friends with the owner Tatiana, but even without knowing her I'd give this place a high recommendation. To connect to the Wi-Fi net, choose the "Trabant.Delicious" access point.

    (4)

  • Raj G.

    I dropped by for a latte, got what I was expecting. Made well, frothy and whatnot. The place was sparsely populated since it was around 7 pm. But that just makes it relatively quiet, though 45th St isn't exactly a peaceful background noise! Added bonus? Right next to Zanadu Comics, since nothing compliments a coffee like a side of Batman.

    (5)

  • Alex G.

    Best Chai in Seattle. I love their orange chocolate chai and my barista was extremely nice

    (4)

  • Winona R.

    Trabant is a great place to study, and an even better place to get your fix. ....if your fix happens to be delicious coffee, that is. I'm more of a spicy rather than sweet chai kind of gal, but I really enjoy the chaiwalla that they serve here as well. I did a coffee tasting recently there with a barista named Alexa (?), who was very nice, and also very knowledgable about coffee. We tasted delicious 49th parallel coffee, which they both sell and serve at Trabant. Of course, we immediately bought their crack-like coffee immedately following the coffee tasting so we could attempt to re-create the experience at home. The pastries are tasty, and go quickly, which is a good thing if you stop to think about how long pastries at other coffee shops have been sitting around. Also, the baristas all seem to be nice and knowledgable about coffee. One more thing... I love having a punchcard that I don't have to carry with me or keep track of. If you go to Trabant and don't have a punchcard, get one! All you do is give them your name, and they take care of it electronically. It's magical, but not as magical as the coffee.

    (5)

  • K. J.

    I get a 12 oz coffee at Tully's, Peet's, Starbucks, wherever - and its about $2.00 and tastes like, well, coffee. Nothing special. I drink it, and usually enjoy it! I get a coffee from Trabant and it's about $3-$4. ...and it tastes like no coffee I have ever had before. Holy crap. It's amazing. I always drink my coffee with 2 sugars/2 creams, but Trabant has the type of coffee that I could drink black. Whoa!

    (5)

  • Zarkle B.

    Kahlua Irish Creme chair! So delicious!

    (5)

  • anne t.

    Love the chai! Decent music. WiFi == happy web surfing

    (4)

  • Laura P.

    Trabant in the U District is starkly different than Trabant downtown, visually that is. I was so busy taking it all in- the blue walls, the dark tables, the moody couple upstairs- that I forgot to watch the Clover in action. The product is the same though- delicious coffee that I don't have to pour a ton of sugar in. Like sugar is a bad thing.

    (4)

  • Phillip T.

    I would like to apologize to the lady I took your iced latte today. I ordered an iced chai; I thought it was my order and took it but it was damn good. I hope you took my order.

    (4)

  • Zim R.

    The only time i went in was when I was in a hurry. I think everyone could tell and three people let me in front of them. Then the girl working put whipped cream on my drink without me asking and without charging. I didn't even notice until I had left. I am glad I tipped her well.

    (5)

  • David W.

    Visited Trabant for the first time today based on the recommendation of coworkers. Usually don't drink coffee (tea is my beverage of choice/addiction) but I wanted something with my pastry today. Three stars is all I'll give them currently but I'll give them a second try and may bump it up. The coffee was good, ordered and cappuccino and almond croissant, and the baristas were very helpful and answered my questions about the café. Unfortunately, the cappuccino is what I call a Seattle cappuccino, pretty much the same as a latte but sometimes with just a tiny bit more foam (think of a super wet cappuccino), nothing close to a classic cappuccino with little milk with a lot of foam. I don't like much milk in my coffee so my first test of a coffee house is to ask for just a cappuccino, not dry or wet, just a cappuccino and see what I get. If they make a decent cup of coffee, regardless of what type of cappuccino is made, I'll usually go back. Next time I'll ask for a dry cappuccino and see what they give me. But given they state that the baristas have been trained for months I would expect more.

    (3)

  • Ku'uleimomi C.

    Had a Mexican chocolate chaiwalla. Mmmm, tasted like the lovechild of hot (dark) chocolate and your standard chai. Friendly, laid-back atmosphere, and a wonderful way to be introduced to Seattle :)

    (4)

  • Stacy E.

    This place is good, clean, fun. Plus it has yummy Chai. I would whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :7:00 am - 12:00pm

Specialities

  • Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Good for Working : Yes

Trabant Coffee & Chai

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