Forza Coffee Company

This place is tremendous, and the owners and barista staff (especially Hannah) are great, competent at their jobs, and are very friendly. The human element that they provide in fantastic…this place is like the «Cheers» of coffee shops.
Or, a more modern day example is like the coffee shop on the TV show «Friends».
Can’t say enough great things about the staff and their menu & coffee is solid too!
— Branden

Good coffee but I was totally turned off by USA daytime television playing on their 2 televisions.

Friendly service with mediocre coffee. I’ve come in probably half a dozen times and love the friendly staff and nice spread of tables available for study sessions. The ladies who work here have always been really nice, even when there’s only a couple of them and theres a decent sized line. The espresso beverages I’ve gotten have been bitter and scalded. I’m not a fan of sweet espresso drinks or blended beverages, so the bitterness of the espresso has come through pretty strongly when I’ve ordered a latte or americano. When I do stop by on occasion, I usually get a cup of tea or a chai. The pastries leave something to be desired, but I will give them props to being one of the few coffee shops I’ve seen which carry soda and energy drinks as an alternative to a (strictly) caffeine alone boost.

Truly terrible espresso.
I can’t comment on the rest. It’s a nice looking shop and everyone is friendly.
But did I mention that the espresso drinks are terrible? I live nearby, so I’ve tried a few times. All I ask for is a pretty good latte. The lack of care that goes into making lattes at Forza is astonishing. This is Seattle, after all. There are guaranteed to be a half-​dozen tattooed-​hipster coffee venues within half a mile, each sporting a recent National Barista champion who uses only the finest beans and knows how to pull a shot. Do yourself a favor and walk to one of them instead. Avoid the espresso here.

Good coffee, tasty sandwiches and salads, amazing staff, spacious area to study or watch TV. I absolutely love this place and wish I had lived on this side of campus for all of my 4 years so I could have checked this place out sooner.
Definitely try the venetian latte if you like your coffee slightly sweeter. It sort of tastes like a vanilla latte but it has more of a nuttiness because I believe they add brown sugar to the espresso.
I’m typically very critical of places but this one gets all the points because my experience with this café seems to exponentially improve (not that it was ever bad to begin with!) with every visit. While their products are amazing, I think this greatly has to do with the hospitable demeanor of the staff. They make you feel right at home and clearly want to make sure you are getting the best experience even when all you bought is a latte and you’re just wanting to lounge around all afternoon. As someone who has worked in the service industry, I am continually amazed by how consistently competent and warm every staff member is. It’s not easy to find a team like that!
I’m gonna start making this my go-​to place when friends want to meet up for a quick brunch and a good cup of coffee.

I joined some fellow Unilocalers for a second board game night here and thought this was a pretty nice coffee shop. It’s large enough to accommodate a good number of people, yet still feels cozy. They have the standard coffee options, but also serve beer and wine for that grown-​up touch. Food offerings range from pastries to more substantial items like sandwiches.
The pluses of Forza:
*large table to the side away from everyone else, which is perfect for a mid-​size group
*better yet, you can actually reserve said table! (I’m sure you can reserve other tables too.)
*friendly, nice staff — they were perfectly nice about letting us finish our game even though they were closing up.
*I ordered hot chocolate and a breakfast sandwich and thought both were good. I’ll have to try the coffee at the next game night.
*Free 3-​hour parking in the attached garage. Took me a couple loops through to snag a spot, but it was worth it.
*Very clean and nice bathroom.
The minuses:
*we ended up there on a night they had live music, which was a bit unfortunate. They turned out the lights, which I understand, but made it very difficult for us to see our game. Especially since we were on the opposite side of the shop, it would’ve been nice if they could have at least left the lights on over our table (assuming they were on a separate switch).
*Waiting for your drink is a bit awkward since there are people sitting at the bar and there isn’t really anywhere convenient to stand.
All in all, Forza’s pretty darn nice and while I don’t find myself in the area all that often, I’d be more than happy to come back for another game night.

This is the sort of space I wish I had when I was in college…
I went to a University famous for their eschewing of all things that include caffeine, located in a town where the ONLY coffee shop was on the outskirts. I had no trendy, warm, comfortable coffee shops… and when I brought a mug to class I had to lie and tell them it was hot cocoa.
Undergrad stories aside — Forza is a roomy and well lit coffee shop/​bar/​bistro that oozes comfort and begs you to enjoy a pint of beer or latte while you study, catch up on work, or play board games with a group of friends. Small tables to large tables that you can reserve to suit your needs, SUPER friendly staff who will actually bring you your order and encourage you to take your time and come back whenever you’d like, lovely beverage choices (shared an Italian soda, had a pint, sipped someone’s tea and coffee — all good), and standard coffee shop nibbles ranging from muffins, sandwiches, fruit cups etc. Prices are good, especially if you come here during happy hour ($ 3 pints and glasses of wine).
I like it here quite a bit! Not my most favorite or quirky of coffee shops, but a lovely and relaxing time is bound to be here regardless.

This is a really cute little coffee place near University Village. We came here for a UYE Game night and grabbed a huge table for the 10 of us (I may have the number wrong, I can’t count). They have a good drink menu that includes coffee, beer and wine. I went with some Hot Chocolate, because coffee would have kept me up all night, and beer would have made me drowsy. The Hot Chocolate was super yummy though. They also have a happy hour where beer and wine is only $ 3, which is super awesome. I would come back here just for that. They also serve the requisite coffee shop pastries, as well as some sandwiches, and some blended beverages. All the staff were really nice though, and would bring our drinks to us, which in itself is awesome. The real kicker though? You can reserve tables! So next time we want to have a Game Night, or Book Club, or whatever, we can reserve a big table for all of us rowdy Unilocalers. I wish this place was open when I lived across the street years ago. I am rarely in the area, but I will definitely be back with a group for a game night. It’s better than the 14 different starbucks across the street at U-​Village.
Also, there is 3 hour parking available underneath the building, the entrance is around back.

I came here during a work ‘field trip’. Great coffee and warm, personable service. They have a blended drink (the name escapes me) that was a wonderful incantation of spumoni. DELICIOUS! It’s too bad I’m not in this area more often– I’d be a regular for sure!

Forza is legitimately my home away from home. Football, coffee, food, and the most amazing staff in all of Seattle — no exaggeration. My college experience would be drastically less memorable if I didn’t spend most of my time studying here.
There is tons of space, with huge tables that accommodate our large study groups really well. I bring all of my friends, and we can sit at the same table to study. On the flipside, if I want to study alone — there are smaller tables for that. There is both a bar where they serve drinks, and one where you can sit and people watch through enormous windows looking onto 25^th street.
The staff is absolutely hysterical, incredibly attentive, and (most importantly) extremely talented at making coffee. Whether I am studying for a test or just hanging out with a friend, I can honestly say that Forza is the place that I go to!
Truly the best hidden gem in the University District, if not of all Seattle, Forza deserves more than just the 5 stars allowed here.

Lots of space, good food choices, coffee just like you’d expect from any good coffee place + add-​ons like wine. What’s not to like?
I’m only deducting one star b/​c it wasn’t the best Americano I’d ever had. Maybe I’m getting stingier with my 5 star ratings.
They even had soccer matches on the TV on Sunday morning from European soccer leagues, if that’s your kind of high-​brow elitism ;-)

This is a very comfortable and friendly coffee, which is a fun place to start the day. It’s also a great place to sink into a couch with a drink after work.
A neighborhood gem, for sure!

I wish there were 5 more stars, so I could give them 10!
This is one of the best coffee shops in Seattle. The staff are friendly, funny, and so accommodating.
My friends and I come here study during our crazy (18 cr) summer accounting class and are given free popcorn for working hard. Everyone that works here is super funny and outgoing, not to mention hot! It’s our new favorite place to cram for tests!

Having just started a new job in Ravenna, one of my first orders of business was to find good close coffee. Forza was the first place I tried.
At 8:30am on a Thursday, the shop was attended by just one person. There were 4 people in line when I walked in. The barista dispatched everyone fairly quickly, was friendly, and knew the people who were obviously regulars.
My latte was not super hot, which im usually ok with, but this made my drink lukewarm by the time I got back up the hill. It would be excellent if I had wanted to drink my coffee immediately, though.
They breakfast carbohydrate case had a limited selection which included vanilla scones. They were innocuous, but nothing to rave about.
The shop itself appeared pretty big. I noticed a bar with stools along the window and a large table which would be great for sprawling papers and books on if you needed to study or have a meeting that required lots of support materials.

Since they have many locations, I assume that the quality will be fairly consistent.
So, I may come here again for my morning coffee needs. But I think I’ll shop around first and see what else the neighborhood has to discover.

I discovered this place at the end of last quarter when I had two papers imminently due and was sick of working in my office. They make a pretty good mocha, though not the best I’ve had. They get points back for free WiFi, lots of power outlet, room to spread out, decent music, and big windows. Plus, if you finish your paper, you can reward yourself with a wine or beer without even going anywhere. Definitely a plus.
Parking is available on the street (easier if you go around the corner) as well as in the garage (entrance around the back). It’s also not too far of a walk from the bus lines that stop at U Village.
I’ll definitely be back when crunch time for this quarter comes around again.

I’ve been trying to find a café/​coffeehouse that actually serves good coffee. Came here to do a bit of work one morning, and I have to say, I was very happy with my caffe macchiato. I ordered a caprese sandwich for lunch which was pretty good, but not quite amazing. I do give it bonus points for for being slightly toasted. The drip coffee I had with the sandwich was the best coffee I had had yet in the area, but still a bit weak.
The music wasn’t distracting, but I have my own tracks I listen to when I work, and the volume was low enough that I didn’t have to blast my headphones. The décor is slick, if not quite classy. The big windows and bar-​style seating are great, except the location is unremarkable so it’s not really a people-​watching spot, if that’s your thing. If I worked at an office nearby, I would certainly drop by everyday.
The service is excellent. Each of my orders were brought to me when they were ready. They were all prepared and presented well. The barista was friendly, but not subservient – my pronunciation of macchiato was was gently mocked, but not in mean or smug way.
I’m giving Forza four stars, but it deserves 4.5. Service and products are very good/​excellent. You won’t be disappointed if you come here.

My favorite weekend hangout to study now. It’s usually really crowded though because it’s a Sunday but I can usually find at least one spot to sit down.
First off, I love the big windows. It provides a good view of the street as well as giving some natural lighting. Furthermore they keep it a good temperature indoors. A lot of coffee shops are a little bit too cold, especially after you’ve sitting there for an hour or two. I hate bundling up just to study.
Next, I like how big the tables are. It’s easy to spread yourself out to study without having worry too much about being crammed. They also have couches just for hanging out or if you like to lie down while you study. The music’s not too loud, but I feel like it depends on whose running the store that day. No real complaints there though. It didn’t stop me from studying for a couple of hours straight. Free wifi is definitely a plus.
Almost every time I’ve enjoyed my coffee there. Definitely try the venetian latte. I really wasn’t sure what to expect but after I got it my first time, it’s become my regular drink to order. Just be careful, it’s already sweet so taste it before you dump in any sugar. I’ve already done that once. =P
Last but not least, the employees there are awesome! Sometimes it takes them a little while longer to make the drinks because there’s just one person doing bar and register but every time, they’ve offered to walk the drink out to me when it’s ready so I don’t have to hang around waiting. I was sitting by the windows once and wanted some extra lights but the lightbulb was out I guess in the lamp. I asked the employees about it and about 10 minutes later they came over and changed the lightbulb for me. Maybe that’s standard procedure but a lot of places I know usually give me some excuse about not having any bulbs on hand or something like that.

I (initially) knocked off a star for inconsistency because when I went back and got the Venetian Latte from a different barist (o), it wasn’t quite as good as the first one I had, even though I understand coffee drinks vary depending from barista/​o to barista/​o. That being said, I absolutely loved the turkey sandwich I ordered, which is saying a lot, since I’m not generally a sandwich girl.
I also have to give them huge props for supporting law enforcement especially after the Lakewood shootings. Because of that and the deliciousness, I happily walked a mile or so out of my way to come here despite passing several other coffee shops along the way, and would actually take the three busses from Bothell to get here. That, my friends, is how much I adore Forza.
Edit:
I updated my review again to 5 stars because Richard, one of the co-​owners, contacted me the day after I wrote this update to let me know that they were aware of and working on this inconsistency. Not only that, he offered me a latte on the house during his next shift– this is waaaaay above and beyond than I was expecting (I actually wasn’t expecting anything at all, good or bad).
At this point, this is really the only business I’ve encountered from coast to coast I just can’t find fault with (and I know, since I’ve lived in New Jersey and Boston). You guys, I have found my one true love, and its name is Forza.

Good coffee, friendly service, decent prices!
My soy vanilla latte was very tasty and had good foam on top. The café is more trendy and modern than cozy and inviting so I am not sure this would be a place I would hang out and read for more than half an hour. Will be back when in the area!

I wouldn’t call this coffee shop ‘cozy’, but it definitely has some potential for a nice atmosphere. The entire front wall is made up of huge windows, and you can belly up to a little counter at the windows and watch the world go by. There are also leather couches and chairs, and a few regular tables. It seems like most of the people who come in are just popping in on their way to work, but if you feel like hanging out, they have free wi-​fi, a TV you can watch the news on, and a good music selection.
Baristas are pretty friendly and quick at what they do, and they keep things spotless. The pastries are pretty generic, sort of like Starbucks, but I had a bran muffin that wasn’t too shabby.
Also, the cop-​to-​citizen ratio is pretty high, so you’ll be extra safe! Just don’t try to pull any funny business.