Whenever I travel to a new destination, I prioritize searching out the best local breakfast and brunch spots. There is something special about eating breakfast in a new city, especially at places I can’t find back home. The food connects me to the new town.
So, the moment I landed in Seattle on my recent trip, I grabbed my phone and began searching. After a few minutes, I stumbled upon a place that looked perfect. And that place was Bacco Cafe.
Bacco Cafe is a local breakfast and brunch spot near Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington. While many overpriced and overrated restaurants exist in this area, Bacco Cafe isn’t one of them.
Their extensive menu features dishes using fresh ingredients, many sourced from the Pacific Northwest. This includes two of my favorites: Dungeness crab and salmon.
Thanks to its central location and great food, there is often a line out the door and down the street. This is especially true on the weekends. But the line moves quickly, and the wait is worth it.
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Cozy Interior of Bacco Cafe
I don’t use this word often, but I would describe the interior of Bacco Cafe as charming. The small dining room was quaint and cozy, with wooden accents, low white ceilings, and a breakfast bar. But the space was bright thanks to the large windows.
Though the dining room was small, the ambiance was vibrant and lively. It was pretty loud inside, with people chatting, workers making drinks at the busy breakfast bar, and music playing in the background. The spot felt local and hidden in plain view from all the tourists visiting nearby Pike Place Market.
Outside the restaurant was a small sidewalk patio. If the weather is nice, this is where I like to sit. You can enjoy your brunch while watching the world pass by in front of you. And the cool breeze that blows through on a hot summer day is refreshing.
The main dining room at Bacco Cafe was small, with only enough space for a few tables. The same as the patio.
Luckily, there was a larger adjacent dining room next door that could seat more people. With more people able to get a table, the line moved along. This room was open, modern, and as beautiful as the main dining room.
Menu
Bacco Cafe is a breakfast and brunch spot featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine with a modern, fresh twist. And I know I say this a lot, but everything on the menu at Bacco Cafe looked great.
There were so many items on the menu that it was challenging to decide what to order. They had cereals, omelettes, benedicts, hashes, breakfast sandwiches, waffles, burritos, salads, and more.
But they are best known for their benedicts. They had four versions: classic, Dungeness crab, salmon, and polenta cake.
There was something for everyone on the menu.
As for beverages, you had cocktails, craft beers, cider, wine, soft drinks, ice tea, hot tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and more.
They also offered a great selection of fresh, healthy juices. My favorite juice was the Modena ($6.50) made with strawberry, banana, pear, and apple.
Dungeness Crab Benedict
I have had crab cake benedicts before, but this was my first time trying Dungeness Crab Benedict ($23.00). This plate looked beautiful, made with Dungeness crab, avocado, hollandaise sauce, and an English muffin.
Served on the side was the choice of roasted potatoes or organic salad. I opted for the roasted potatoes.
As I have mentioned, the poached eggs are the most important component of any benedict. When cut through with a knife, they must explode with rich, golden yolk. And these fresh eggs did just that.
Covering the eggs was a simple hollandaise sauce that wasn’t too thick or thin. Its flavor was buttery with a hint of citrus.
Dungeness crab, a prized crustacean, gets its name from Dungeness Bay, located northwest of Seattle. Being in the Pacific Northwest, Dungeness crab is a must.
I was surprised to see large chunks of Dungeness crab hidden under the eggs and hollandaise sauce. The crab tasted fresh with a salty, sweet, nutty flavor that was delicious and unique.
While there were large chunks of tender yet firm crab mixed in, there were also some shredded pieces.
Finishing off this benedict was a soft, lightly toasted multigrain English muffin slathered with a layer of avocado.
The avocado added a fresh flavor and creamy texture to each bite. The avocado also complemented the richness of the hollandaise sauce and egg yolk.
Roasted Potatoes
As mentioned before, I had the choice of roasted potatoes or an organic salad. I decided to throw my diet out the window and go for the roasted potatoes.
I have ordered many breakfast dishes in my days, but these roasted potatoes might have been the biggest chunks I have ever seen. They were fresh, golden brown, and roasted to perfection. Each large piece was crunchy on the outside while tender and creamy on the inside. Eating a few of them was a meal in itself. I lost all self-control with these potatoes as they were addicting and kept me going back for more.
Sure, this wasn’t the cheapest dish on the menu. But fresh Dungeness crab in downtown Seattle for less than $20? I couldn’t complain.
Service
The service at Bacco Cafe was fantastic. Even though it was a busy day, the staff, dressed in black shirts, were running around the restaurant.
They took orders, delivered food, cleaned tables, and cracked jokes with guests. The friendly servers enjoyed their jobs, and I appreciated this level of customer service.
Just as impressive was the speed with which food and drinks arrived after being ordered. The service could not have been better.
Conclusion
Bacco Cafe is a fantastic breakfast and brunch restaurant located in Seattle. Even with its location near the touristy Pike Place Market, the café felt like a local, hidden spot.
I loved everything about Bacco Cafe, including the food, the service, the décor, and the ambiance.
While the Dungeness Crab Benedict was fantastic, I could have ordered and enjoyed anything on their extensive menu. There was something for everyone.
Bacco Cafe is an excellent choice for a breakfast and brunch spot near Pike Place Market.
Pros
- Great location near Pike Place Market
- Extensive menu using fresh, local ingredients
- Friendly and efficient service
- Beautiful décor
Cons
- Often a line for a table
Hours
Monday - Sunday: 7:00 AM - 3:00PM
Address
86 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
GPS Coordinates: 47.61010,-122.34140
Map
Website
https://www.baccocafe.com/Last Updated on April 17, 2024
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