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Elliot Bay Cafe

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1521 10th Ave (at E Pine Street)
Seattle, WA 98122

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(206) 624-6600
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Elliot Bay Cafe - Seattle, WA
Elliot Bay Cafe - Seattle, WA
Elliot Bay Cafe - Seattle, WA
Elliot Bay Cafe - Seattle, WA
Elliot Bay Cafe - Seattle, WA
Elliot Bay Cafe - Seattle, WA
Elliot Bay Cafe - Seattle, WA
Elliot Bay Cafe - Seattle, WA
Elliot Bay Cafe - Seattle, WA
Elliot Bay Cafe - Seattle, WA
Elliot Bay Cafe - Seattle, WA
Reviews
( 35 )
( 21 )
( 6 )
( 3 )
( 0 )

Best

Lots of books for kids and adults at decent prices. Near some great eateries and they have a fun castle for smaller children to play in...

Worst

Everyone *loves* Elliot Bay Bookstore. But they don't let you bring books into the coffee shop and I find their store hard to navigate. However, I have been to quite a few readi...

Elliott Bay Book Co. 8/17/2005

I've loved the Elliott Bay ever since the first time I walked in the door. It's a Seattle Institution! I'm an avid reader, and for me, going into the Elliott Bay is like being a kid in a candy shop. As some of the other reviewers have said, it's the displays and the staff's own love of reading that make this bookstore stand out. more
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The Mother of All Seattle Bookstores 8/17/2005

It's just simply fantastic to see a large independent bookstore thriving in the middle of a city, especially when too many big box stores have taken over. There's just something very soothing about wandering a maze of books hoping to find something to pique your interest. While not nearly the size of Portland's Powell's Books, Elliott Bay Books does Seattle proud. Of course, what would a proud bookstore in Seattle be without a coffee shop, and EBB delivers. After purchasing the new 'it' book (or whatever tickles your literary fancy) you can peruse it whilst sipping a velvety latte. Sounds like Paradise Found to me. more
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Atmospheric Bookstore 8/17/2005

While the selection tends towards the pedestrian and the partisan, this book store contains a decent collection of books. I always run across something new and interesting and I think it has to do with the obvious care the staff takes in its work. All of the prime advertising spots in the bookstore are not overflowing with the Oprah book of the week or the newest Stephen King novel. This makes for an interesting visit for the casual browser whose main goal is usually just to glance at the tables by the door for ideas on new reading material. Elliott Bay Book Company also contains a café in the basement, a used book section, and has many author readings. more
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Elliot Bay books 8/17/2005

Elliot Bay is a big independent bookstore - one of the few left with such charm! I love taking friends from out of town to the store, where we browse, read magazines, look through cook books, have coffee and talk downstairs, then buy books and have them shipped to my guests' homes. It's a staple of Pioneer Square and a great visiting space. more
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Best bookstore in Seattle 8/17/2005

This place is awesome! They have every book you could ever want, great book clubs and tons of author readings. The best part is that the staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. It's not like a chain store where anyone can work there, they only hire people who know and love books. There is good food in the cafe, as well. more
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A local bookstore with a great selection 8/17/2005

If you are sick of giving your money to the big chain book stores, but not willing to sacrifice selection, then Elliott Bay Book Company is for you. They have some great author readings, a large selection and the prices are reasonable. The location downtown makes it a great spot to wander to before a game, or if you're looking for a more personal experience at a booksellers. They have great book clubs, and even a good selection of used and rare books. The pioneer square location makes it almost impossible to find a parking spot, but it's easily accessible via bus, or a nice walk through downtown. more
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Lost for Hours 8/17/2005

Elliot Bay Book Co is so warm - the wood floors, the old building, the nooks and crannies, being in the middle of Pioneer Square, not to mention the interesting books. It's easy to get lost in there for hours, just browsing, wondering about the people who walked the same floors decades ago. The staff is great - knowledgeable, kind - and happy to give you all the space you want to just hang out and explore. more
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The Elliot Bay Book Company 8/17/2005

I absolutely adored this book shop! It was so nice and cozy, with floor to ceiling book cases, and ladders that ran along so you could reach (or so they could). This store is divided into seperate sections, with an upstairs travel loft, and a downstairs cafe. They seem to have a staff member for each different section. I particularly loved the hand written reviews attatched to the books. They also have a secondhand section. Long wooden tables and chairs are positioned cenrally, so if you want to grab something and have a browse. I could rave on and on....We dont have anything like this at home. This is a book lovers paradise! more
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What a bookstore should be 8/16/2005

This is by far the best bookstore in Seattle. They have the widest selection of titles, and the staff really knows their stuff. The best thing is the reading they host. It seems there is always a reknowned author giving a reading here. I don't know how many times I come here just to pick up a book and end up spending hours browsing. more
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Elliot Bay Books rocks my socks 8/16/2005

This is the perfect Seattle bookstore. The wooden floors creak just a little bit when you walk, there are all sort of nooks, crannies, and lofts to lose yourself in, and best of all there's not only a huge cookbook section, but there's an entire WALL of vegetarian cookbooks. I've also noticed that Elliot Bay has some used books for sale, right along side the new books. There's also a cafe downstairs, though it's not open as late as the bookstore proper. more
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Support a local legend 8/16/2005

Elliot bay bookstore has lots of charm. It is nestled in pioneer square and located in an old brick building with creaky wood floors. They have tons of books with also a section for used books. They regularly have author signings or readings, in fact, they had bubba clinton signing last year. They have a great kids section. They have a great cafe on the basement level of the store. more
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Elliot Bay Book Company 8/16/2005

Elliot Bay Bookstore is awesome. I love everything about it: the old building, the great books, the staff, and the café in the basement. It is a wonderful local bookstore with a knowledgeable staff. There are great recommendations throughout the store and I've found some great books that I think I would never have come across on my own. There are clearance books in an upstairs loft and a large used book section in the back. I take out of town guests there & it is a great place to browse and find a new read. more
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Still the Best Independant Bookstore in Seattle 8/16/2005

I've lived in Portland, and yes, Powells is certainly a close second, but I still love Elliot Bay Books. Perhaps it is the bright red neon sign in the window that says simply, "READ" that lets you know you are in for a great time. Elliot Bay has the perfect size and layout for a bookstore, all lofts and hidden corners that make you feel cozy where ever you are, and yet the store seems to go on and on. The staff recommendations are usually right on, and the way book covers are turned out to face you in an artful manner . . . well, let's just say I usually walk out of the store $80 - $100 poorer. I just can't help myself. Discover, or rediscover this lasting Seattle institution and support it. more
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come on... 8/16/2005

What isn't good about this place? Helpful staff, in store readings by authors you actually want to see and meet, great give aways, etc. The variety is astounding, there's an online store now too. Elliot Bay is pretty hard to out do especially if you are close, I don't even read all that much and I think this place is great. Besides you feel alot better walking out of Elliot Bay than you ever will out of a Barnes and Noble (shudder at the thought). more
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Nice. Very Nice. 8/16/2005

Ok, let's get this out of the way first - Elliot Bay Books is not going to be your cheapest bookstore. Sorry, that's a fact. But that's the only thing not going for it. Filling up a large corner lot in an old Pioneer Square brick building, the place is a joy to walk through. Brick arches, books stacked on high shelves, creaky wooden floors, bustling customers, amazingly broad selection, locally owned, regular book readings.... it's a great store. more
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nice local bookstore 8/16/2005

This bookstore has good ambience with a nice cafe tucked in its basement. The selection on photography, art and architecture books is big. I found a lot of photography books that can't be found in Borders and Barnes & Noble. Bargain book selection is ok. A nice place to be in at anytime. more
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Books and Bricks 8/16/2005

This charming and huge bookstore located in the heart of Pioneer Square brings literacy to a new level. Going into the store makes you want to read more. Arguably the second best book store in the Pacific Northwest (Portland's Powell's Books being the best,) this place boasts a massive collection of books on every subject. Vintage collections, best sellers and great coffee elevate this landmark way above the big box retailers. Plan to stay awhile. more
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Unmatched book store 8/16/2005

Elliot bay books makes buying a book an experience rather than an errand. If you ask for help, they will not only help you, but guide you and suggest to you further reading on your topic of choice. These people know their books. Eventhough the place is busy they take their time with you. Its like being at a small town library where the librarian has nothing to do but literaly guide you through the stacks. I encourage you to ask for help even when you dont need it - you will leave with more books in your hand or at least a mental list of more books to buy. more
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A great little bookstore with friendly people and lots of events! 8/13/2005

I prefer this bookstore to the larger chains as the people are more personal and have worked with me in the past harder than they had to - to help me find a book i was after when i had no information about! Thats not to say the larger stores dont do that, but they are usually more inclined to just tell you sorry rather than go out of their way to help you find it as Elliot Bay's does. Their prices in the end also dont end are a little high, and they dont carry as much things as other bigger stores (like dvd's and music) but they do have alot of events (its almost like they try to pack each day with one!) such as book signings and readings and such.. They may not be for everyone but more than likely they will have an event you will want to attend! \ more
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A Landmark Bookstore 7/11/2005

Between Elliot Bay and the University of Washington Bookstore, Seattle never wants for literary entertainment. Elliot Bay's readings program is excellent. The store itself is something of a historic landmark, set in Seattle's Pioneer Square. This is a good destination for visiting book lovers. There are also some used books available and a cafe downstairs. more
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Menu for Elliot Bay Cafe


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Editorial

  • This Seattle landmark has settled comfortably into its new location, looking as though it’s been here for years between Pike and Pine among Capitol Hill’s many coffeehouses, taverns and boutiques....

  • 5/20/2010 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-10pm Fri-Sat 10am-11pm Sun 11am-7pm
  • Payments: American Express, Cash, Discover, Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Pioneer Square, Downtown, Capitol Hill, Broadway
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