Empire Coffee

First time visiting, will be back! Clean airy and bright and quiet chatter of customers. Baristas were friendly, fast and attentive, latte was good, tasty pastry and nice to support a local business.

I really love empire coffee! It’s a really cute hidden gem with good coffee and pastries. I will be coming back!!

I'm late to the game reviewing this place but it still deserves five stars from me. When I lived in the area, I frequented Empire Coffee because the staff is super friendly, it's a great atmosphere for working, and the coffee is great. Now that I live elsewhere I'm trying to find a place to fill the void but nowhere has measured up. Don't take it for granted. Visiting friends this weekend and I'll have to stop by for old times sake.

As a barista it's an interesting experience to visit another coffee shop other than my own.
Empire coffee has a minimalist theme. Nothing would be distracting to the eye. White hot cups, clear cold cups, small text menu board, some plants here and there. You get the vibe.
I ordered a 24oz Iced White Chocolate mocha with a chocolate loaf and a 16oz Iced Mocha during my 4 hour stay.
( I was working on editing video subtitles. )
The peak of traffic was at 2:30pm but it was a full house the entire time. Most of the customers are either in their early 30's or late 50's so I felt a bit daunted walking in and not seeing people my age (not including the baristas). They were inviting and quick to make drinks.
So what's the verdict about Empire's coffee? It's alright. Satisfactory but not great. I prefer a different brand of flavoring and stronger coffee because those 7 shots did nothing for me.

Empire has been my go-to coffee spot since they opened. The drinks are delicious, the sandwiches and baked goods are wonderful, the staff is always so friendly, and the interior is so clean and bright and open. Definitely my favorite little coffee shop.

I've overseen this place go through it's wave of employees but THANK GOD the original manager came back from her maternity leave! As a customer before and after working there -- I'd usually steered clear from ordering anything with espresso when newer and inexperienced baristas were there, so I would only get iced matchas. I have also seen a few of the original baristas come back since Becca's return, and I'm glad to see their bright and kind presence again.

The previous group of gals seemed very clique-like .. highkey have had better customer service at McDonalds but I digress. They were okay but definitely lacked in personality. I finally returned over the weekend and saw new faces as well as familar ones, and everyone was so kind and had actual COFFEE EXPERIENCE not Keurig Experience.

Looking forward to detouring to Normandy Park after work again! :)

The baristas were so friendly & the coffee was delicious. Also had great sandwiches. I definitely will come back often!

Pretty good cold bre, and a tasty breakfast sandwich from Alki Bakery.

Nice place, friendly people.. good coffee. We needed a place like this in Normandy Park.

Best coffee I have ever had. I take 4 shots of espresso over ice, and I can't get enough! Tastes almost like chocolate, love whatever beans they use! Very smooth yet rich.
The staff here is outstanding, very quick and friendly.
So happy to find a place that remembers me too, that really puts the icing on the cake! Keep doing your thang yall!