Zeitgeist Coffee — Restaurant in Seattle

I walked into Zeitgeist today after years of wanting/meaning to/not having time to stop. Practically skipping to the door, excited to this place that I have heard so many good things about, I was almost immediately let down.

Outside the coffee shop, a quiet, polite gentleman asked me if I had any change. I said I didn't, I don't carry cash, but I'm going in here - would you like something? He was taken off guard, I believe, but I asked him to go in with me to pick something out.

Once inside, the (what I assume is, after asking around) owner looked from me to my guest and immediately dropped his smile. Hoping to not completely sour this trip, I began ordering. Asked my friend what he'd like for lunch. If you've ever been somewhere that you know you are not welcome, you'll be familiar with what I believe this gentleman was feeling. He was having a hard time reading the menu, so he asked for a "house sandwich". Normally, at any restaurant I've ever been to, this will either be met with the person taking the order letting you know what that is, or having them give a suggestion of their own favorite. Instead, the owner(?) pointed at the menu again and said "the menu is right there". After I helped my friend figure out what they were ordering, I turned to order the drink I had initially come in for. It's fall and we are in the middle of pumpkin spice season. I asked if they had anything pumpkin for fall and was met with a "no.". Not having something is completely fine! I'm not bothered at all, as it is not on the menu and I was simply asking if it was something they were doing but maybe I was missing the advertisement behind, or attached to, the counter. However, this attitude of complete disdain for what I can only assume is, a basic white girl's coffee order, took me by surprise. Added with the bristly greeting that we had already received, I don't think I'll be going back.

Coffee was great though!

Quick additional information: My guest was not dirty, loud, rude, or belligerent. He immediately wore a mask inside the shop. He was soft spoken. He did not...

When I am in the neighbourhood, I come to Zeitgeist! The coffee is good, the service is expedient and friendly, and, as a Vegan, they have options for me! Here are the non dairy milks on demand: Oat, Almond, Soy, Rice, Hemp, they have decent food options for a coffee joint too!

The only real gripe I have is the restroom accessibility, while technically wheelchair friendly, the building is older, so this makes it a bit of a challenge.

Overall, I love this place! I highly recommend coming here when you are in the area!

Disability Accessibility:

This place is wheelchair accessible, and staff will assist you with your food/beverages upon request!

Please note: it is an older building, obviously built before the ADA, and there are no automatic door opening buttons on the inside or outside of the entrance/exit. Doors are quite heavy, and depending on the type of mobility device one uses, assistance may be needed! Don't let this stop you!

I usually order a small mixed greens salad with a vinaigrette dressing, and a drip coffee with either Hemp or Oat Milk! (No dairy for me!) Vegan Options available...

Zeitgeist Coffee definitely lives up to its name! This place is just about everything one would expect from a classic Seattle cafe. I had a double 12 oz latte with Hemp milk and sugar-free Vanilla, their only sugar-free syrup option (though Splenda and Sweet-n-Low are available on the condiment bar). I also had a poppyseed bagel, one of several bagel options in the pastry case, with cream cheese. They allow customers to use a toaster to heat your pastry to your liking, though I initially found it difficult to get a good crust. Still tasted delicious!

Ambience–Very vintage (but not dated) wood-and-brick feel. Music is pumping, but neither too loud nor too quiet. There are many places to sit and get some work done, or simply chill and enjoy a latte. I love the menu backsplash, makes me feel like I'm in a proper French cafe!

Zeitgeist is also a short walk away from King Street Station, so if you've got some time to kill before your next train trip, absolutely stop by here! I'm looking forward to trying more of their menu options (especially their pastries). I'll certainly...