Kitanda Espresso & Acai - Redmond — Restaurant in Redmond

[Updated review, 2025 Feb 23]

Thanks for responding and sharing your perspective. While I get that there are extra costs, passing them on to the environmentally harmful option feels off and frankly unacceptable especially in today’s climate (pun intended). It pushes folks who are price sensitive, especially the many teens and young adults who come to your shop, to choose the unsustainable option, which isn’t the behaviour we want to reinforce.

Other coffee shops are finding ways to encourage reusables (like small discounts for own cups) or building the additional cost into all drinks equally. Maybe there’s room to rethink your approach? You have a bigger opportunity here to move towards a circular economy by keeping materials in use for longer and minimizing waste, and you have plenty of support at our city, county, and state levels. Check out Go Box Seattle, Reuse Seattle, and Zero Waste Washington if you’re interested.

I love your coffee and want to keep supporting Kitanda. Just hoping we can all move toward greener choices together.

[Original review, 2025 Feb 15] Kitanda, I’m sorry that you feel the need to charge customers for choosing the environmentally friendly option. You’re charging $1 more if I ask for a ceramic cup instead of a disposable paper cup! That’s back asswards.

While the rest of the coffee shops are incentivizing people to choose sustainable options, you seem to be going the other way.

We’d love to learn why, if...

We've been loyal customers of Kitanda Redmond for over 10 years. However, our recent experience on Friday morning was extremely disappointing.

We placed a mobile order for Acai bowls and found that one had the wrong topping and all of them were overly sweet. My kids, who have a sweet tooth, couldn't eat more than a spoonful.

We tried calling the store several times to address the issue, but no one answered (which seems to be a recurring problem). Given that we spent over $60 on this order, I had to drive 15 minutes back to the store to have them remade.

I was met by a store manager who was rude and condescending. He asked me to meet him in the corner of the store, as if I were a child being punished. He didn't want to listen to my concerns about the mistake and tried to convince me that I didn't know how an Acai bowl should taste. It was only after I insisted that he finally agreed to remake the order. There was no apology, and it felt like he was doing me a favor.

Frustrated, I called their Kirkland office and spoke to the GM, who was kind and apologetic about the situation.

While we enjoy their bowls when they're made correctly, do we as paying customers deserve this kind of treatment? There's a new Acai bowl store across the street from the park that we might...

A Taste of Brazil's Warm Hospitality at Kitanda Coffee Shop

Kitanda offers a delightful fusion of Brazilian flavors and warm hospitality. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in a sense of community and genuine care.

Guillermo, one of the standout team members, consistently greets customers with a smile and goes above and beyond to ensure a positive experience. His friendly demeanor and helpful attitude make every visit memorable.

My favorite item is the Brazilian Cheese bread that beyond being very tasty it is gluten free and it is always warm. I also recommend the chicken cone and the Acai bowls or smoothies.

Kitanda Coffee Shop isn't just a place to grab a quick snack; it's an experience. Whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor, you'll leave with a smile, fueled by great coffee, delectable pastries, and the warmth of Brazilian hospitality.

Kitanda Co. truly captures the essence of Brazil, and Guillermo's exceptional service adds that extra touch of magic. Don't miss out—plan your visit...