Caffe Vita – Fremont

Caffe Vita – Fremont

Description on their web:  By creating an environment where the customer can see, touch, and taste the coffee they purchase, we provide a unique learning opportunity that allows our coffee to speak for itself. Caffe Vita is always fresh, imported directly from the farm and roasted on-site.

Neighborhood: Fremont

Address:  4301 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

Music playing:  I Really Like You by Carly Rae Jepsen

What we ate/drank:  Espresso and an apple strudel

Espresso & Apple Strudel

Comments:  You may recall the fiasco where I made a fool of myself at the Caffe Vita in Pioneer Square when asking about their logo. There was no such embarrassment this time around, just a relaxing visit in my old neighborhood.

I actually lived a few blocks away from this location when I first moved to Seattle. Every single business on this cross section of Fremont Ave and N. 43th St has changed and in most cases multiple times. The only businesses that have not changed is the coin operated laundry mat and Eyes on Fremont.  The Caffe Vita – Fremont location is no different. When I first moved here, this spot was a hair salon and it’s the spot I used to get my hair cut. It’s now odd looking out the window from Caffe Vita – Fremont and remembering the exact view when I was getting a hair cut.

This spot is much smaller than their Pioneer Square location, but the service is just as friendly and it definitely has a neighborhood feel versus a quick grab-a-coffee-to-go commuter spot. A lot of cafes near downtown/SLU/Cap Hill/Pioneer Sq can sometimes turn into a place for work meetings or freelance workers.  Caffe Vita -Fremont feels like a place for neighbors to get a quick respite for relaxation. While here, there was a couple in which one was teaching the other how to read Chinese, a grandfather and grandson grabbing a hot chocolate(?) and few folks who stopped by for a coffee pit stop while walking their dogs.

On this visit, I had an espresso and an apple strudel. Caffe Vita – Fremont is a corner, so there’s lots of light that comes in through the windows.  There are a couple of tables/seats out on the sidewalk and about seating for maybe 25 people on the inside.

If you are interested in the history of Caffe Vita and it’s owner, I encourage you to read this fascinating article from the Seattle Met Magazine. I had no idea the owner was also a restaurateur and behind Via Tribulani. It also references the relationship between he and the owner of Herkimer  Coffee(a co owner of Caffe Vita at one time) and the owner of Espresso Vivace (a mentor).

Ratings(Scale 1-5)

Favorite Thing: It’s nice to have a neighborhood spot from one of the premier Seattle coffee roasters.

Atmosphere: 4

Service:  5

Food Options:  3 

Overall:  4

Eavesdropping Convo: None  

Related:

• Caffe Vita – Where I Made a Fool of Myself
• Our Seattle Coffee Shop Thoughts
• Best Coffee Place To Impress Seattle Visitors
• Zeitgeist Coffee