Cafe watch: Ha Ha Coffee and Cha Chak on Capitol Hill, plus three more nearby — Yoka Tea, Casa Ella, and Visible Coffee Roasters

The Mango Sticky Rice Sundae (Image: Cha Chak)

The cafe scenes in the neighborhoods across and around Capitol Hill have some new — and new to CHS — additions heading into fall:

Ha Ha is now open — thanks to Harry in the CHS Facebook Group

• Ha Ha Coffee and Tea: The new owners of a 15th Ave E building have brought milk teas and smoothies to the top of Capitol Hill. Ha Ha Coffee and Tea is now open at 324 15th Ave E. CHS reported last year as book shop Nook and Cranny lost its lease for the space. The building’s new owners include Diem Le who moved the book shop space neighboring the Red Chair Salon through the city’s streamlined change of use process to open the new cafe with a menu of milk tea, fruit smoothies, and coffee. While bubble tea shops and Asian-style tea offerings have proliferated along Broadway and through Pike/Pine, the quieter edges of Capitol Hill have mostly gone unserved. You can check out the Ha Ha menu here.
• Cha Chak: Another long awaited Capitol Hill cafe opening has taken place. Above Capitol Hill Station next to the plaza across from Cal Anderson you will now find Thai tea and dessert shop Cha Chak. CHS reported in March on plans for the cafe from Montida Lertkiatsakul and Suphanita Roumsak. Lertkiatsakul was part of opening Manao Thai Street Eats at 14th and Pine. Cha Chak debuts with treats including green tea ice cream lattes, Thai tea chiffon cake, and an incredible looking Mango Sticky Rice Sundae. Find it at 118 Broadway E next to the station plaza across from Glo’s. Follow @chachakseattle for updates.
• Drip Tea: Pike/Pine’s Drip Tea is getting new ownership. A bid on the popular 10th Ave tea joint was reported as “pending” in August. CHS reported in February 2020 on the birth of Drip Tea’s presence in the neighborhood. The boba and Instagram-powered venture managed to survive the pandemic and spin off a project or two along the way. With the sale, its 2024-born Sadō Room fashion boutique on E Pike remains under original ownership.
• Yoka Tea: Cupcake Royale’s Madrona birthplace has a new to CHS resident cafe. Yoka Tea is a Filipino- and Korean-inspired specialty cafe and drink shop that opened last year at 34th and Spring. Co-founded by Marcellus Beza and Amy Park, it has built a loyal following for its creative beverage program, warm neighborhood atmosphere, and shelves featuring curated Asian pantry goods and retail treats. A Ballard expansion is underway Follow @yokateaofficial for updates.
• Casa Ella: 34th and Spring is shaping up as an east of Capitol Hill cafe hot spot. A newcafe project has taken shape in new construction on the intersection’s northeast corner across from Yoka. Casa Ella is planned to feature the flavors of Columbia with a focus on small batch imported beans and emphasis on community. Watch for pop-ups as Casa Ella prepares for opening. Learn more at casaella.co.
  

  (Image: Google Maps)

• Visible Coffee Roasters: A strip mall once home to a dry cleaners, a teriyaki joint, and gem of an Italian joint Aglio e Olio has new life in Madison Valley. After fire damaged the building four years ago, the new generation of tenants has a different tone including a pilates studio and Mill Creek-born Visible Coffee Roasters. Visible is celebrating its first year after moving into the neighborhood last September to provide a much needed hangout space after the demise of the nearby Essential Bakery and give the neighborhood solid pours of artisan coffee. You can find it at 2739 E Madison. Learn more at visiblecoffeeroasters.com.

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