oChef » Kitanda Espresso & Acai – Seattle » Kitanda Espresso & Acai – Seattle – Reviews
Kitanda Espresso & Acai - Reviews
428 NE 71st St, 98103 Seattle
All reviews at a glance
378
Reviews
54.8%
Satisfaction
149
negative
22
neutral
207
positive
What people say about Kitanda Espresso & Acai
Filter Reviews
Wait Time
Visit Type
Meal Type
Noise Level
Group Size
Service Type
Group Type
Price per Person
Visit Type
- Solo Dining
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Coffee and Pleasant Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I enjoyed a cup of great coffee with a rich, smooth flavor that truly hit the spot. It served as a perfect pick-me-up, and the pleasant place made it an enjoyable experience.
- coffee9
- flavor9
- pick-me-up9
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great spot for bites and coffee!
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. I found the pricing to be great for the delicious small bites and good coffee. It's a quiet lil spot with nice workers.
The restaurant also offers non-dairy options like oatmilk and soymilk, and their brazillian bread is naturally gluten-free.
- pricing9
- small bites9
- coffee8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
7
Great food, tricky parking
Everything was excellent. The only thing to review is the parking lot, which is complicated to park in at this location. Therefore, it's a great option if you're just passing through or walking around the area.
- everything9
- parking lot3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
6
Frustrating Ordering Experience
I stopped in after a long run because I was craving something with protein. The bread for the sandwich I wanted had run out, and I was told it would be ready in about 10 minutes. I didn’t mind waiting, but I wasn’t allowed to place or pay for the order ahead of time.
I was told to come back only when the bread was visible in the case, which felt unnecessary and meant I’d have to get back in line again. I ended up ordering something I didn’t really want. The food was fine, but the ordering experience was frustrating.
I’m hoping the process can be a little more flexible for customers who are willing to wait.
- bread5
- food6
- ordering experience3
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Buns and Rolls, Great Service
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. The coconut bun and cheese roll were absolutely delicious. I also found the customer service to be good, and the atmosphere was nice, quiet, and relaxing.
- coconut bun9
- cheese roll9
- customer service8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Moderate
3
Disappointing Service, Great Concept
I truly appreciate the concept behind Kitanda and what the space could represent for the Brazilian community in Seattle. Unfortunately, my experiences at some of their locations have been quite disappointing and do not reflect authentic Brazilian service, which is known for its warmth, attention to detail, friendliness, and genuine care for every customer. As a Brazilian, I feel embarrassed by this representation of our culture.
Disappointment after disappointment. This past Saturday, while my husband and I were having coffee at the Green Lake location, his chair suddenly broke. It was already extremely uncomfortable for a café setting.
Luckily, he managed to hold onto a nearby table and avoid a more serious accident, but it was quite a scare. What shocked us the most was the staff’s reaction. One employee, sitting in the same area and witnessing everything, didn’t move or show any concern.
When my husband asked her something, she completely ignored him. When he addressed her again, asking if she had seen what happened, she rolled her eyes and said she couldn’t do anything because she was “on her break. ” This lack of empathy and awareness was surprising; a simple gesture of concern would have made a big difference.
None of the employees seemed to be Brazilian, and the overall attitude toward customers was distant and unwelcoming, creating a heavy and indifferent atmosphere. For years, I’ve seen similar feedback about this location: poor service, lack of training, and an absence of genuine hospitality, which contradict the beautiful idea behind the brand. It might be time to reevaluate processes and invest in proper staff training.
More attentive professionals, ideally Brazilian, who truly understand the essence of what Kitanda stands for, could transform the customer experience. It seems the owners no longer value or consider the feedback generously offered. On the other hand, the Kirkland location is quite different: the staff there tend to be friendlier and more pleasant, creating a more welcoming environment.
The only note is that they often speak too loudly, which sometimes affects the calm atmosphere expected from a café. I genuinely hope this review serves as constructive feedback. Customer service should reflect the warmth and care that Brazilian culture is known for.
Personally, I don’t plan to return to any of the locations and cannot recommend Kitanda as a standout café; it has sadly become just another average coffee spot.
- Kirkland location staff8
- Kirkland atmosphere6
- Brazilian service2
- staff’s reaction1
- employee1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Rude Staff and Uncomfortable Seating
My experience at this restaurant was largely negative due to the extremely rude female staff member who provided an attitude when I asked a question and failed to give me a receipt. The seating was also a significant issue; the chairs were hard metal, making them feel more appropriate for a prison than a cafe, contributing to a cold atmosphere. Overall, the rude staff and uncomfortable environment made for an unpleasant visit.
- female staff1
- receipt1
- chairs2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
1
Terrible Experience, Burned Coffee, Bad Service
My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. The coffee was burned, and nothing seemed fresh. The staff's attitude was also poor.
I requested a refund for food I didn't eat and coffee I didn't drink, but it was denied. I ended up throwing the uneaten food in the garbage in front of a staff member who smiled, which was not a good sign. The customer service was terrible.
- coffee1
- freshness1
- attitude1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible Service, Refused Acai Bowl
My experience at this restaurant was quite negative. Despite arriving before closing and rushing to get there, they refused to make an acai bowl. The reason given was that their utensils were already clean, even though they were still open.
This kind of service is unacceptable, and I will never again return.
- service1
- acai bowl1
- utensils1
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Terrible Service, Rude Staff
My experience at this restaurant was marked by terrible attention. The girls working here were rude and lacked basic education. They treated clients as they wished.
I believe they should change the morning staff; the service was bad attention.
- attention1
- staff1
1–10 of 89