Seven Market and Cafe in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood stays fresh but never forgets its roots as a mercantile operating in this location since 1922. This cozy spot got its start serving the loggers who used Ravenna Boulevard as a haul road between Green Lake and Lake Washington nearly 100 years ago, and carries on today as a go-to location for great coffee, artisan foodstuffs, local art, and community gatherings.
Owner Sean Lee took possession of the former Boulevard Grocery in late 2011 and has since turned the market into a retail arm of his successful Seven Coffee Roasters, plus a whole lot more. Seven is many things to many people, simultaneously serving as Seven Roaster’s retail storefront, neighborhood corner store, gift shop, art gallery, pub, and coffee shop, and doing it all with care and finesse.
There are plenty of reasons—not even counting the jars of jonboy caramel sauce I spied in the front display area—to return to my new favorite neighborhood coffeeshop. I stopped counting at seven, but feel free to add to this list of attributes earning gold stars for this off-the-beaten-path neighborhood haunt and haven.
One. Spicy Chai: Seven is famous for its coffee, and deservedly so—it’s a coffee roaster, after all, with pride of product and an ethical vision. But the cafe’s chai tea carries notes of cardamom and ginger and none of the cloying sweetness of franchise chai. Sips to savor on a winter Sunday, or any other day. Recommended.
Two. Craft beer: The old-time refrigerated cases at the back of the market showcase a nice assortment of local craft beers, ciders, juices, and specialty sodas. Pay a small corkage fee to enjoy an ale onsite, or carry out for at-home imbibing.
Three. The dogs are smiling: Dogs stay outside but they don’t mind; they happily drink from the silver bowl provided near the outdoor seating area and wait for someone to bring complimentary treats from the dish next to the cash register.
Four. Helpful staff: There’s no corporate line at this cafe, just friendly and helpful service that’s real, not overdone.
Five. Local art: The pegboard wall on the cafe’s east side features reasonably priced, framed local artworks, rotating seasonally.
Six. German Chocolate Brownie: The only thing better than a perfect chocolate brownie is a perfect chocolate brownie with German chocolate frosting. And so it goes at Seven.
Seven. Pop Tarts: A young man in the outdoor seating area during my visit was devouring a pastry resembling a pop-tart, its frosting a vivid day-glo purple. Creator of this confection is Ravenna’s Sod House Bakery, one of Seven’s local vendors. Leading me to make this mental note: Must return ASAP.
My list of seven omits other points of bliss to be discovered at this neighborhood gathering spot. Go there and see for yourself. Did I mention the jars of homemade caramel sauce?
If You Go:
Seven Market and Cafe: 2007 NE Ravenna Blvd; Seattle, WA 98105. Seattle Metro Bus 74 passes directly in front of the market.