This little coffee shop and boutique is tucked away in Kirkland's auto row. A corner store in a strip mall, Kitanda offers Brazilian coffee, paninis and pastries along one half and Brazilian imported food items, jerseys and even beauty products along the other. The Kirkland location has been in operation since 2005. Try the house specialty, the Brazilian mocha, that replaces the traditional chocolate with sweetened condensed milk while making use of the shop's free Wi-Fi.
As Kirkland's only coffee roaster, caffe Rococo warmly serves up coffee and culture. Owner and local resident Adam Olsen opened the cafe in September 2010, intending it to be a "second place" where residents can stop for a hand-crafted latte, comfortably spend the day reading, or enjoy the Friday night musical entertainment. Olsen partnered with Alki Bakery owner Jim Defazio, another local, to offer freshly baked goods and sandwiches, with Kirkland's Sweet Cakes providing the cookies and brioche bread pudding. The cafe's Ethiopian Yirgacheffe roast is a Roaster's Choice Award finalist. Mom's will love receiving a free kid's cocoa with their drink purchase.
This Starbucks location offers all the standard espresso drinks, coffee and tea. Pastries, sandwiches and other snacks are also available. The space is small but inviting and a small amount of outdoor seating is located in front of the store.
Hanuman is a friendly and affordable cozy downtown Thai restaurant. It's a good place to stop in for noodles and free WI-FI, or order some take-out for the family. Eight bargain lunch combos are available weekdays from 11am - 3pm. Pad Thai and Pad Kee Mao have always been guest favorites, as well as the signature Heavenly Beef.
Couzin's Cafe is a family-owned, country-style restaurant serving a variety of breakfast and lunch favorites. The breakfast menu features six different kinds of omelets and nine varieties of pancakes, in addition to waffles, French toast and scrambles. Lunch, served from 11am to 3pm, offers an extensive selection of sandwiches, salads and burgers. Newspapers are available for purchase in front of the restaurant.
Owner Chang Chin-Juei hails from Taiwan and brings those distinct flavors to this downtown Kirkland cafe. The restaurant specializes in all vegetarian fare, offering a variety of hot dishes and also sandwiches, juices, smoothies, bubble tea and ice cream. Some of the most popular dishes are the #27 soy chicken with broccoli, the #19 spicy club fries and the #10 Taiwanese egg sandwich. There is a small table inside the restaurant, however most residents opt for the convenience of Cafe Happy's take-out.
Caffe Ladro is perfect for a caffeine pick-me-up. Each location offers a community feel, and the Kirkland store is no different. Friendly baristas, open outdoor seating and great coffee drinks. All pastries are made in-house by Ladro, with the apple pie being a customer favorite. The owner said of the community, "One gets a little of everything in Kirkland, and it's all brewed together to make a great community."
This Starbucks location features an expansive interior with ample seating for both individuals and groups. The location also has an outdoor seating area and drive-through window. The shop closes for only a few hours each night, making it a hot spot for night owls and early risers alike.
