Zoka Coffee Roasters and Tea Company

For the second time in two days, I found myself in downtown Kirkland. It was a cold day and the idea of a warm drink drove me and the lovely lady I was with into Zoka. It is a big space with plenty of windows to make it bright inside. We ordered tea from a lively worker and claimed the big comfy chairs by the north windows. The place was about half full of people chatting. The other conversations made me rearrange the chairs so that I could hear. In between sipping our drinks (Mine was very bitter. Maybe I left the tea bag in too long) we had a pleasant conversation in the private area we had built with the chairs. The other tables are packed together. They would be ok for working (With headphones in) but not for chatting. One note about getting there - parking in Kirkland is a pain in the

Lovely cafe in the heart of Kirkland waterfront right by the water. Buzzing with activity and lived their coffee roast which is sourced directly from the growers. They also have a few pastry choices but good place to get your coffee fix or just hang out or work.

Zoka in Kirkland greets you with tons of natural light, plants, and a few art displays—it’s a beautiful sight as you walk in. I tried the mocha, which was good (though not great) and a bit on the pricier side. When I visited on a Sunday morning, the café was busy and filled with chatter. It’s not the quiet Sunday morning vibe some might expect, but more of a lively, social atmosphere. Interestingly, even with the noise, people were still reading, working, or studying—it all felt in harmony. As a local, I grabbed my coffee and walked down to the waterfront to sit by Lake Washington, which was the perfect way to enjoy it. On Sundays, you can usually find free parking in the lot out front or near the waterfront.

For those of us who remember Zoka Coffee Shop years and years ago it was great in every way. Unfortunately today the experience is no longer the same. Taste of coffee: 8/10 Atmosphere: 2/10 Noise level: very, very noisy Often overcrowded Revolving door experience No improvement or changes to the interior design Location is great, interior layout needs major improvements

I recently visited this coffee shop, and while the ambiance was undeniably chic and earthy-cute, it was unfortunately let down by the drinks. The coffee was disappointing—weak and lacked the richness I was hoping for. The tea was no better, and the lattes just missed the mark. The portions felt off, and they weren’t hot enough, which really took away from the experience. It’s a great place for a cozy vibe, but if you’re a coffee or tea lover, you might want to pass on the drinks here.