Cafe Vizcaya

Reviews

• Anaya D.

  star star star star star 8 June 2026

  Yummilicious authentic Cubano, Spanish Tapas and other ethnic surprises in the northern Beacon Hill neighborhood! Thank you!
  
  I highly recommend the Cuban breakfast special:  Rice, black beans, eggs, sweet plantains with that slight crisp ends and a scoop of Picadillo!   All perfection, trust me.  
  
  The cinnamon bread French toast is another hit.
  
  If you're looking for something more American southern, then go for the Chicken fried steak (aka Big Foot, trust me you'll understand when you see it)  The country gravy is creamy and flavorful, the homemade biscuits are colossal but flaky,buttery airiness of goodness.  
  
  Ohh yes the Tres Leche cake with a cup coffee is a great mid day snack or after dinner (which we will be trying next:)
  
  The owners Barbara & Doug welcome everyone like family.  The food is definitely home cooked with love.

• Marie B.

  star star star star star 6 June 2026

  Writing this review from a placeholder has been a cluster, let's go for third time's the charm...
  
  This northender Yelper started this morning wanting a hearty breakfast (11/17/19). Pouring rain = potential deterrent. Parking = free on Sundays. Seahawks have a bye week = hopeful no backups. Greta, the climate change crusader, would admonish my crappy carbon footprint for choosing Cafe Vizcaya on Seattle's Beacon Hill as my destination though. But off I head from Shoreline towards I-5 South...
  
  Found a parking spot right out front, great sign. But was 20 minutes early, so sat in my car to wait it out as the rain continued. Saw a gentleman sitting outside. Turns out later to find out that was the restaurant owner, Doug.
  
  After going through previous Yelp posts and photos, there are many selections I'd gladly order as my stomach growled in protest. As the first customer of the day, I sat at a two top, no menu needed and ordered the Chicken Fried Steak ($15) with the sausage gravy, two over easy eggs, house potatoes, and wheat toast. Water with ice in a pint glass, yay none of that tepid tap water often served elsewhere.
  
  Doug, the personable restaurant owner, chatted with me as he also seamlessly dealt with at least six other customers who came in after me. Deets: he and wife are restaurant vets, used to own a Wallingford spot, took a time out to raise three adopted sons. You'd think they would enjoy a slower pace of life, nah. They renovated the interior of Cafe Vizcaya, opened since April 2019. They commute to/from Mill Creek, guess no whining from this Shoreliner. They too know regional traffic.
  
  I enjoy several other Beacon Hill spots including Carnitas Michoacan, Delite Bakery, The Station, Fou Lee, Bar del Corso, Homer, and awaiting the opening of Musang. This neighborhood is vibrant and evolving.
  
  But wow Cafe Vizcaya is quite the find! Just thumbing through the menu after my meal and feeling the vibe of the place, this is perfect for breakfast/brunch, catch the game on their flatscreen, lunch, tapas/apps and a drink, date night, coffee/dessert, meetup with friends, meal with the family, essentially menu items for all tastes at this newish neighborhood destination.
  
  I digress, so how was the Chicken Fried Steak? My benchmark is the epic CFS at Otis Cafe to/from the Oregon Coast. And now, I don't have to travel hundreds of miles for that caloric indulgence. The steak is meaty, lightly breaded, covered in flavorful sausage gravy. First thing I did was eat a spoonful, omg that sausage gravy is so delicious! The CFS itself is the length of the platter...very hearty serving! The entree is also served with tasty house potatoes, two eggs your way, and choice of toast. Served piping hot, no need for additional seasoning, spot on awesome!
  
  Since I enjoy seafood, I was told I should return for their paella. I was also given a sample of their black beans. Mmmm rivals my favorite at Un Bien. I would gladly work through their menu, even the pastry case this morning caught my eye. Eyes bigger than my stomach though. I made another customer picking up a takeout order laugh, as I thanked Doug, said I'd be back with The Homie (Alex the CFS fan) and wearing stretchy pants, like today's yoga and hoodie attire!
  
  Yes, a remarkable 45 minutes this initial visit: very welcoming, vast menu offerings, personable service, and *wow* that CFS! Definitely returning to try other menu items.
  
  Thanks again to the previous Yelpers whose posts and photos compelled me to visit.

• Rujaine M.

  star star star star star 29 May 2026

  My boyfriend and I were lucky enough to stumble upon this restaurant. As soon as I saw the name I knew it would be Cuban food. I'm Cuban myself, and it's hard to find an authentic restaurant like this in the Seattle area. They nailed it.
  
  Barbara and Doug own the place and you'll find them there most of the time. Barbara is Cuban and Her husband Doug is American so all four of us instantly bonded.
  
  I've been here twice and always forget to take photos of my dishes before I eat it all lol I did a better job the second time around!
  
  WHAT WE ATE:
  - House Salad
  - chorizo and mozzarella sandwich (tapas menu)
  - Ropa Vieja (him)
  - Vaca Frita (me)
  - Strawberry Cheesecake
  
  Their Cuban dishes are on point when it comes to spices and flavors. Very authentic and kept in line with their family recipes.
  
  Definitely a great spot for lunch, especially their Tapas section - everything I've tried has been delicious.
  
  TAPAS I'VE TRIED:
  - albóndigas (meatballs)
  - fried calamari
  - cod fritters
  - costillas de puerco (pork ribs)
  - stuffed green pepper
  - muscles
  - boniato (cuban sweet potato)

• Julie S.

  star star star star star 25 May 2026

  I woke up with a hangover, and needed pancakes. I had almost admitted defeat, until I walked past Cafe Vizcaya, and found out they had a comprehensive breakfast menu, including pancakes.
  Cafe Vizcaya did not disappoint!
  The staff are so nice and accommodating.
  The cafe is well attended, but not in an in-your-face kind of way. Plenty of breathing room!
  And there is a lot of space in the cafe--there are two separate dining areas, and a bar!
  Such a cute neighborhood spot!
  Today I was feeling basic, but I can't wait to go back and try the Cuban food! Everything looked amazing.

• Wendy K.

  star star star star star_border 18 May 2026

  Came here on a Sunday second week of June to celebrate my both my brother and my birthday we usually go to dinner as a family for each person's birthday sometimes combining actually in my situation always with my brother cause our bdays are a day and two years apart. Was nice that this is located on Beacon Hill close to my dad's and a neighborhood were somewhat familiar with. Found parking easily at 6ish.
  
  Exterior is welcoming and makes a good impression. Cute chairs and tables out front. There is a dessert case when you first walk in if something is tempting save room. The entrees are pretty generous serving wise. You can go with tapas and share we just decided to order entrees instead. My brother tried their version of a mojito I went with the ginger beer sangria. Everyone else stuck with water or ice tea. I had the Pagro Negro (blackened snapper) I really enjoyed the dish not overly spicy and lots of flavor. My brother in  law had the Costilla de Puerco (full rack of pork ribs) pretty sure he enjoyed those he dove right in.  My brother had the Codero a la Vizcaya (marinated lamb) the meat wasn't as tender as he would have liked but the flavor was good.
  My sister had the Ropa Vieja (flanksteak) she liked her dish and the meat was tender. Dad and my sister in law went with the Puerco Adobado (pulled pork loin) think they were actually expecting pulled pork the but the dish was more like sliced loin, you're supposed to pull it yourself. All the entrees came with rice and a bowl of black beans which had great flavor and your choice of tostones or platanos maduros. Everyone had tostones except my sister.
  
  We shared a couple of desserts the Lemon Raspberry cake and the Apple Crumble my brother loves a crumble we had a scoop of vanilla ice cream added to that one since it comes hot. They were out of tres leches that day.
  
  Service was nice and the interior is very welcoming. Would like to try their brunch sometime.