Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
oChef » Starbucks – Seattle
Starbucks - Seattle
Photo from Starbucks
Starbucks at a glance
Seattle Rainier Valley
- ☕ Café
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 27 of the guests
#777 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#78 Café out of 84 in Seattle
Average
5.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
187
Reviews
43.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly service
- Reliable drinks
- Good atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Drive-thru only
- Drink inconsistencies
The café Starbucks in Seattle’s vibrant Rainier Valley neighborhood is your go-to spot for a fantastic coffee experience. You’ll find a welcoming, casual atmosphere perfect for a quick stop or a relaxed break.
Whether you’re starting your day with breakfast or grabbing a quick bite for lunch, this location promises great coffee and a convenient visit.
Overview: Introducting Starbucks
Starbucks generally offers a reliable experience for those seeking a quick stop. Many appreciate the efficient service and the consistent quality of their drinks, often prepared just as requested.
The staff frequently receives praise for their friendly and accommodating approach. However, some aspects can be a mixed bag.
Customers occasionally find the price point a bit high, and the drive-thru experience, while convenient, can sometimes present navigation challenges or limit the overall atmosphere.
Average
5.5
out of 10
187
Reviews
43.3%
Satisfaction
85
negative
21
neutral
81
positive
Starbucks holds an average Restaurant Score of 5.5, reflecting a generally moderate experience. Customer Satisfaction stands at 43.3%, indicating a mixed reception among patrons.
This assessment is drawn from a total of 187 customer observations, with 81 positive remarks balanced against 85 negative ones. Looking closer, Food (5.9) and Service (5.8) both land in the average range, with many appreciating the quick and friendly interactions.
Ambience (4.2) also sits in the average category, often influenced by the prevalence of drive-thru-only locations. The most significant area for improvement appears to be Value (2.5), which customers frequently find to be on the lower side.
What people like
- Efficient, friendly service
- Consistent custom drinks
- Pleasant indoor atmosphere
What people don't like
- High prices
- Drive-thru limitations
- Inconsistent drink execution
If you’re looking for a convenient stop with generally reliable coffee and quick, friendly service, Starbucks remains a decent option. It’s particularly well-suited for grabbing a specific drink on the go, especially if you appreciate the staff’s accommodating nature.
However, with a Recommendation Score of 6.1, it’s worth noting that it might not be the ideal choice if value is your top priority or if you’re seeking a traditional dine-in atmosphere. Manage your expectations regarding pricing and the drive-thru setup.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Starbucks
Food (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
When it comes to the food and drinks here, many customers are quite pleased! Out of 43 remarks, 19 were positive, highlighting that drinks often taste standard and good, with some even praising outstanding food quality. Folks love their custom drinks, favorite menu items like the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich, and specific seasonal options, often noting that their orders are made correctly.
However, it's not all perfect, leading to an average score of 5.9 and mixed customer satisfaction at 44.2%. There were 15 negative comments, with some experiencing issues like stale items, incorrect serving amounts, or drinks tasting bland or like just hot milk. Others were disappointed by missing favorite syrups or unmixed ingredients in their iced coffee.
Food
43
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
15
negative
9
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good drink quality
- Outstanding food quality
- Favorite menu items
What people don't like
- Inconsistent drink quality
- Missing favorite items
- Stale items available
Often praised
- drinksalways makes the drinks correctly
- foodthe food was also rated a 4
- CoffeeMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's one of my favorites, offering great customer service with all 😃 smiles and excellent ☕️ Coffee. The food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect 5/5 rating.
- Double Star Tuesdaybecause it's double star Tuesday.
- Impossible Breakfast SandwichLove the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich.
- Matcha latteMy go-to order is the Matcha latte, which is my favorite drink.
- Nitro Cold BrewHaving a Nitro Cold Brew for the first time this year.
- boba tea placesgo to any of the several boba tea places nearby
- coffeeSafeway Starbucks coffee isn't as good as going into a Safeway Starbucks
- custom drinkgood with our custom drink
Frequently criticized
- Hazelnuti.e., Toffee Nut, Hazelnut, etc.
- Matcha Frappuccinoit ended up taste like Strawberry Matcha
- Toffee Nuti.e., Toffee Nut, Hazelnut, etc.
- coffeeGave me wrong coffee
- cold foamThe cold foam is never foam. It’s always froth
- drinkorder came with 1/3 drink and the rest ice
- food itemsSome shortages of favorite food items
- hot green tea lattetasted really blend
- hot milktasted more like hot milk
- iced americanoI feel like my order was simple: an iced americano with 5 raw sugar. I was a little disappointed when I received my order because all of the sugar was layered on the bottom, not mixed. Being that it is an iced drink, I would assume they would mix the sugar before ice—like most coffee shops.
If you're looking for reliable standard drinks and some standout food items, it might be worth a try, especially for your favorites. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in drink preparation or item availability, which could lead to a less-than-perfect experience.
Service (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 89% of the guests
Based on 112 customer comments, the service here presents a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.8, landing it squarely in the average range, and customer satisfaction at 50.9%, indicating a mixed experience. Many appreciate the friendly staff, quick service, and efficiency, with 57 positive remarks highlighting accommodating crew members and cheerful attitudes. However, 47 negative comments point to areas needing improvement.
Some customers encountered rudeness from staff, experienced slow service and long waiting times, and found inconsistent hours or unaccommodating policies to be frustrating. It seems the overall service experience can vary quite a bit.
Service
112
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
47
negative
8
neutral
57
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, quick staff
- Efficient customer service
- Accommodating crew
What people don't like
- Rude staff demeanor
- Slow service speed
- Inconsistent policies
Often praised
- staffAdding to the peculiarity, there are only three parking spaces located halfway through the drive-through. Despite a huge line, the service was remarkably fast, and the staff were excellent. It's worth noting that while you can order ahead online, you will still need to wait in the drive-through line.
- servicemoves you through the line quickly with friendly service
- customer serviceMy experience at this drive-through Starbucks was marked by great customer service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the store demonstrated thoughtfulness by offering customers without cars the option to order ahead and pick up at the store, eliminating the need to use the drive-through.
- drive-thruMy experience at the restaurant was through the drive-thru.
- friendlinessthe friendliness and customer service is absolutely superb
- quickstaff inside are always quick
- speedMy experience was that the restaurant was great and very fast. However, this is only a drive-thru, and you have to wait in line with everyone else.
- accommodatingstaff inside are always accommodating
- baristasvery friendly baristas
- cheerfulstaff inside are always cheerful
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was a significant letdown
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. The staff was rude and unhelpful when I asked questions. They gave me the wrong coffee and then complained when I asked for the correct one.
- customer servicepitiful customer service and rudeness
- wait timeMy experience at this restaurant involved a significant wait time. After placing my order, I had to wait more than 10 minutes in line. I've visited other branches of this establishment, and this issue doesn't occur there.
- accommodate customersrefuses to accommodate customers
- app pickuporder ahead on your app you cannot pick it up other than going through the drive-thru
- baristaNever in my life have I had a bad experience with Starbucks until now. The barista was condescending and unbelievably rude both at the speaker as well as the window. She berated my husband (who doesn't even drink coffee but was ordering a breve latte for me) for not specifying the type of breve.
- big brandfrustrating for such a big brand
- black girl at the drive-thruthe black girl at the drive-thru had no customer service skills
- cashierexperienced rude and disrespectful behavior with cashier lady
If youre looking for quick and friendly service, you might just find it here, but be prepared for the possibility of encountering some inconsistencies. Its a place where the service can be a hit or miss, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot has a few bright spots, with some folks appreciating the overall vibe and even highlighting it as an LGBT safe place. The general atmosphere was rated quite pleasant by some, contributing to 5 positive remarks out of 26 total. However, despite an average score of 4.2, customer satisfaction sits at a poor 19.2%, suggesting these positives don't quite outweigh the challenges.
On the flip side, the ambience is heavily impacted by significant operational issues, particularly concerning the drive-thru path and arrangement. Many found the location hard to navigate, with a frustrating lack of a dine-in option, despite some listings suggesting otherwise. These concerns were echoed in 18 negative observations, indicating a clear need for improvement in accessibility and service model clarity.
Ambience
26
Reviews
19%
Satisfaction
18
negative
3
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- LGBT safe place
- Pleasant atmosphere
What people don't like
- Drive-thru only
- Difficult drive-thru path
- No dine-in option
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was also very pleasant
- LGBT safe placeThey are also an LGBT safe place
- companyI believe in the company
- this StarbucksThis Starbucks is my go to I have tried others and its just not the same
Frequently criticized
- locationIt's a bummer that the MLK/Graham location is a drive-thru only. However, a solid crew works here who is always fast and friendly.
- atmosphereThe atmosphere, likely due to the drive-thru nature, was rated very low
- drive throughA bit hard to navigate into the drive through
- dine inno dine in, what a waste of time
- dine-inalthough the listing says ‘dine-in’, it’s not
- dine-in optionMy experience at this location was a mix of excellent food and a frustrating lack of clarity regarding its service model. I was surprised to find that it's drive-thru only, with no dine-in option available. This wasn't clearly labelled, which led to some confusion.
- drive-thru arrangementdrive through arrangement is terrible
- drive-thru layoutMy experience at this Starbucks involved navigating a somewhat strange drive-thru layout. Despite the unusual design, the staff were friendly, and the quality was the usual Starbucks I expect.
- drive-thru onlyit's drive-thru only
- drive-thru pathwonky drive-thru path. It's a tight zing-zag
If youre looking for a quick drive-thru experience and dont mind a potentially tricky layout, you might find the atmosphere okay. However, if you prefer a dine-in option or an easy-to-navigate location, you'll likely be disappointed.
Value (2.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 11% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems customers havent found much to celebrate. With 0 positive remarks out of 6 total opinions, theres a clear absence of upbeat feedback regarding pricing or what you get for your money. This sets the stage for a less-than-stellar experience.
On the flip side, the feedback paints a clear picture of disappointment. The value score is a poor 2.5, and customer satisfaction is a stark 0%. Out of 6 total opinions, 5 are negative, with many feeling robbed by the price.
Customers mention worse $15 spent, expensive drinks with poor cold foam, and high delivery fees, compounded by no tip option for card payments.
Value
6
Reviews
0%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
0
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Poor value for money
- High delivery costs
- No tip option
Often praised
No positive aspects so far.
Frequently criticized
- $15worse $15 bux ever spent
- deliverypay an additional $10+ for delivery
- priceThe cold foam is never actual foam; it’s always froth and a very small amount. We pay 8 to 9 dollars for a drink, and they get upset when you ask for them to remake the foam into actual foam. It’s unfortunate this is the only drive-thru in the area.
- tip optionThere's no tip option if you pay by card
- valuefelt like i was robbed
If youre looking for good bang for your buck, this might not be the place for you. Customers consistently feel the prices dont match the quality, especially with drinks and delivery. Expect to pay a premium without feeling like youre getting your moneys worth.
How are the prices at Starbucks?
On average, you’ll spend around 12 per person – from 27 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Cafe, that’s comfortably mid-range.
Looking at the data, most guests spend in the $1–$10 or $11–$20 brackets, showing a nice mix of budget-friendly and slightly more substantial options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 27 reviews.
See how this Cafe’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for a Cafe. It offers good value for those looking for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Starbucks
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Rude Cashier Experience
Today, 12/1/2025, I experienced rude and disrespectful behavior from the cashier, who was African American. She became very rude and unhappy if she didn't receive a tip. My advice to her is: if you're not happy, find a better job.
- cashier1
- tip1
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Favs with Smiles and Coffee!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's one of my favorites, offering great customer service with all 😃 smiles and excellent ☕️ Coffee. The food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect 5/5 rating.
- customer service10
- Coffee10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
7
Great Food, Slow Service
My experience at the restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was excellent, earning a perfect score. However, the service was slow, though I understand it's a training store.
The atmosphere was not ideal, scoring a 2.
- food10
- service4
- atmosphere2
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
6
Inconsistent Starbucks Experience
My experience at this Starbucks has been a hit or miss. I usually order an Ice shaken espresso, and while it tastes the same at other Starbucks locations, this store's version is a 50/50 chance of being consistent. Sometimes it has a mint flavor, other times it tastes like pumpkin.
Recently, I ordered a Matcha Frappuccino, but it ended up tasting like strawberry matcha, which was really disappointing. I hope Starbucks can train their staff carefully before letting them provide service.
- Ice shaken espresso5
- Matcha Frappuccino2
- staff2
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Inconvenient Starbucks, Better Alternatives Nearby
My experience at this Starbucks was defined by its vehicle-only access. If you don't have a car or can't drive, you'll have to travel half a mile to the Starbucks inside Safeway or pay over $10 for delivery. I'd recommend skipping this Starbucks altogether and trying the several boba tea places nearby.
It's insane that Starbucks approved a location with such limited accessibility.
- boba tea places8
- vehicle-only access2
- delivery2
What Starbucks offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Coffee
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dessert
Service Options
- Drive-through
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Starbucks in Rainier Valley?
At this Seattle Starbucks, you can enjoy a casual atmosphere perfect for any time of day. You’ll find options for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dessert, alongside quick bites and small plates. It’s also a great spot if you’re visiting with kids.
What service options and amenities are available at this Starbucks location?
For your convenience, this Starbucks offers drive-through, dine-in, takeout, and delivery services. You can also take advantage of free Wi-Fi while you’re there. Parking is easy with free street parking available nearby.
How does Starbucks generally score with customers?
Starbucks holds an average **Restaurant Score** of **5.5**. While **Food** (5.9) and **Service** (5.8) are generally average, **Ambience** (4.2) is often limited by drive-thru setups, and **Value** (2.5) is a notable concern for many customers.
What do customers appreciate most about Starbucks?
Customers frequently praise the **staff** for being **quick**, **friendly**, and **accommodating**. Many also appreciate that their **drinks** are often made correctly, with specific items like the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich and Matcha latte receiving positive remarks.
What are the common complaints about Starbucks?
A significant drawback is the perceived **price**, with some finding it expensive. The **drive-thru** experience can also be challenging due to layout issues and the lack of a **dine-in** option at some locations, impacting the overall **atmosphere**.