Hidden cafe that helped launch Seattle's coffee culture turns 50

Long before there was a coffee shop seemingly on every Seattle street corner, there was Café Allegro.

On Saturday, the U-District coffeehouse turns 50, making it the one of the oldest in the city.

When Café Allegro first opened in 1975, it was hardly visible. The shop is tucked away in an alley, and there was no sign outside. Co-owner Chris Peterson said people had to almost be introduced to it.

“It had a bit of that speakeasy feel, like you’re part of a club,” Peterson said.

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The menu back then listed only half a dozen drink items. With the exception of espresso, all beverages were served in eight-ounce cups.

“Espresso was 35 cents. Lattes were 50 cents,” Peterson added.

Café Allegro would later set the foundation for the city’s now storied coffee scene.

Peterson was a student at the University of Washington when he was hired to manage the shop. Founder Dave Olsen bought coffee from Starbucks, a roaster and wholesaler at the time. Olsen would eventually join Starbucks. In 1990, Peterson bought the café.

In the years since, the business has evolved to keep up with the times. Now, there’s a sign by the entrance. It even has a social media presence. It has also weathered a lot of economic shocks; the new tariffs are the latest.

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“We’re paying a minimum of 10% more for coffee from any origin right now, and some origins are higher,” Peterson said.

He said it’s hard to know whether that will change people’s coffee habits. Some people may not buy coffee that often, or they may seek cheaper alternatives.

But one thing that has stayed constant is the community the café has built over the years; it’s what keeps him going.

“I thought it was a temporary job when I got it in the beginning,” Peterson said. “But I had a real passion for the place and the community. I felt like we were an important touchstone for people.”