Cafetal Quilombo

I was on a search for vegan tamales. I’m Mexican and even though I was changing my eating habits that didn’t mean I was ready to completely forgo my favorite foods. There had to be some place that had vegan options available. Enter Cafetal Quilombo to save the day!
Cafetal Quilombo is in Beacon Hill next to a convenience store and a bike «church». The place is tiny, or should I say cozy? There is seating for maybe twenty or so people but this is also a café shop therefore is a great spot to sip a coffee, eat some food, and chill out. The employees have always been welcoming. The food menu isn’t large but it is more than made up with flavor. There are tortas, tamales, rice and beans, typical Mexican staples. There are numerous tamales choices: chicken, beef, black bean, bean and cheese, and my favorite, vegetables. The vegetables is the vegan option and it chalkfull of roasted veggies spiced just right. I asked about what was used in the maza instead of lard and I was assured for the vegetable tamales they used only oil and water. I can tell you there are delicious! I can’t vouch for anything else because I am so stuck on the tamales that I have yet to try anything else.
I am happy I found Cafetal Quilombo so I don’t have to give up tamales.

I rarely give 5 stars: but this place really deserves it. I walked into the Cafetal expecting just average Mexican food and some sub-​par drinks, but instead I got extremely authentic and flavorful Mexican food with a cup of London Fog that was better than other grommet coffee shops that I frequent. I ordered the chicken tamale with black mole and a London Fog as I just mentioned.
The tamale was piping hot when I received it, and it was just divine. The tamale was moist without being overly soggy and the authentic flavors were all right there along with the delectable flavor of the chicken and black mole. I really don’t know how to describe the London Fog except by comparing it to drinking a delightful vanilla cloud (you could say it was Cloud 9 to be precise :). It had the right amount of sweetness without overdoing it and it was just so deliciously airy.
Even though the food was good, the service is also great: they were very, very friendly and know how to make real good tamales and tea. Overall, I highly recommend this place!

The best tamale ever. They had vegetarian tamales. Yummy. The food was amazing. The place was very clean and tidy. The tortas are the best. The people were very accommodating. I just can keep on going about how good this place is. We found our best Mexican restaurant.

Cafetal Quilombo is a hidden gem in the Beacon Hill area for now. The giant development going in next door threatens to wring the charm right from this place. So get here while you can. Or don’t. It might be better for everyone that way.
The Tamales and Molotes were fantastic. The Ham Torta was more reminiscent of a classic Ham Sandwich than a traditional Torta. It was one of the best Ham Sandwiches I’ve had but it didn’t quite meet my craving for a warm gooey torta. The coffee drinks here are fantastic and my horchata hit the spot.
Some people were relaxing and getting work done here, giving the place a coffee shop vibe. So stop in, take a load off, and decide if a new condo is worth pushing a place like this out of the neighborhood.

After reading about this place on Unilocal,we went there today and tried the tamales, a tostado, and a quesadilla. Everything was delicious and had a homemade touch about it, but it was too much food for lunch. Next time I’ll have a tamale and a tostado – that should be perfect. The hodgepodge furniture is fun, and the workers are warm and friendly. All together a great little place that we need more of and that wouldn’t be economically feasible on Capitol Hill.

OMG!!! These are one of the BEST tamales I’ve ever had!!! Being from southern Cali (and being Mexican) it was hard for me to find a place around here that sold tamales that reminded me of home. These tamales have the perfect amount of filling and their masa isn’t thick and dry, it’s just right! And to add to my excitement, they sell Café de Olla! Eating tamales just wouldn’t be the same without this particular coffee. Thank you, Cafetal Quilombo for keepin’ it real :-)) I’ll definitely be back to try your pozole and torta!

Great people, great coffee and really great Mexican food! Thanks for being apart of the neighborhood!

I would definitely come back! Really cozy place.
:)
The latte a la canela was pretty good

Stopped by for lunch. Had the Torta de Jamon which was good but my favorite was the chicken mole tamale. GOOD stuff.

Fantastic coffee, tamales (best I’ve encountered in Seattle), pozole and a great vibe. Feel’s like my grandma’s living room. I’ll be back again and again.

Amazing place… Super delicious Tamales and homemade green salsa! The best ever!!!

This place is amazing! Best tomales I’ve ever had!!! Super affordable prices! Family owned and operated. You often see them making the tomales when you are there. Don’t miss this treasure of a place!

I recently moved to the Seattle area from Southern Arizona where good tamales are easy to find. I am ecstatic that I have finally found amazing tamales here! I went there on a Sunday afternoon the service was great and everyone there was so friendly. Each tamale is 2.50 so 5 bucks will get you a good lunch!

Unassumingly «hole in wall» with an eclectic array of tamales that I have not seen served elsewhere; I.E. mole, rajas con queso, etc. In addition the torta and tostadas definitely hit the spot if you are in need of a quick bite.
Perhaps that most surprising aspect of this small establishment was the quality and array of coffees and milk alternatives. Particularly I enjoyed the café puente. Overall this is the kind of neighborhood café that the South End deserves, not another Starbucks.

Driving by you can easily miss this place or from a glance assume it’s not a café. I have driven by this spot numerous times and have told my boyfriend we must try this spot on our next day off. Today is the day we finally get to see what this place has to offer. When you first walk in you automatically feel welcomed, it’s cute little set up they have topped with unmatched chairs and art work, typical Seattle café but what makes this place unique is that not only have a wide variety of coffee but also a menu filled with Spanish food, from bagels to tamales. I tried the veggie bagel and added ham and it was amazeeee! This is a must try for anyone on the hill.

Came here for the first time on a Sunday morning to order a coffee and tamales to go. Really sweet students running the front counter and the coffee was EXCELLENT ! I ordered the latte canela and it was Perfectly pulled espresso. The tamales were on point! 2.50 a pop, some of the best I’ve had here in Seattle. The masa was moist AND flavorful and the pork was tender. (so good I forgot to take a pic) They had a choice of beef, pork, chicken, bean/​cheese, and veggie. My friends tried the beef and chicken and they also agreed that it was legit ! Other items I saw on the menu was tortas, quesadilla, and ceviche. I will def be a regular here!

Went here tonight and ordered the tamales and quesadilla, both were very good and authentic. I will come here again and try the Tortas because they looked delicious as well :)

Good pork tamales. Green sauce has good flavor. Large selection of coffee. Parking sketchy, but you can park in the back through a narrow alley and come in through the back entrance. Good pricing.

This is a nice, quiet, what looks like family owned café. I was surprised at how many milk options they have. I ordered a hemp latte a la canela which is a cinnamon infused latte with homemade whip cream. Also had two very good bean tamales. The service was patient and friendly. I will be back often for my summer stay in beacon hill!

Stop by for a quickie at this new neighborhood café for a Caffe Latte, they have 4 sizes. Great espresso coffee. They also serve small hot good menu. The Tortas at $ 6.00 tastes pretty good!