Trabant Coffee and Chai, LLC

Where else can you find a menu with two dozen flavors of chai? My favorite is the Mexican Chocolate chai, and I enjoy the semi-sweet, semi-bitter flavor. The atmosphere is condusive to reading or typing away on either your own laptop or one of the complimentary computers available in the cafe. The award-winning staff competes in the annual barista competition, and their competence is on display in each cup of perfection. Please note, you don't want to get a latte here if you don't like a strong coffee flavor in your beverage. more

Trabant Chai lounge on 45th is a nice escape from the Starbucks mania. The owners of Trabant pay attention to detail both in cup and atmosphere. The wide variety of chais along with Mexican Hot Chocolate and Yerba Mate keeps you coming back for more day after day. The atmosphere is often home to a few UW students seeking refuge during finals week, but the diverse Ave. gives the patrons of the lounge a great, intriguing atmosphere. The artwork, open mic night, open notebooks free to doodle and write in, and even the computers (free for patrons) gives this Chai Lounge a great, personal feeling. It will soon become your favorite caffeine-stop (see ya Starbucks!). Also, "chai" means tea, so do not be an annoying newbie and ask for a "chai tea". It's redundant. more

I've enjoyed the few times I've been in Trabant, especially the performances. They have bands there regularly, and I even saw a play there once. I haven't been so impressed by the open mic though - a mostly standard selection of poetry (I got spoiled, I think, by the excellent one hosted at Cafe Allegro at the College Inn a few years back). The chaiwallas are tasty, if kinda pricey, but they have a broad drink selection, so you're not limited to chai by any means. They're open early (6:30 on weekdays, and I think 7 on weekends), great for those of us who occasionally or regularly work early in the U-District. more

Trabant has good Chai, imported Mexican hot chocolate, coffee, couches, and free wifi. The crowd tends to be UW students, but you won't feel out of place unless you're old enough to qualify for AARP membership. The service is good (they'll bring your coffee to you, so you don't have to get up if you just sat down) and they also keep track of your free drink "punchcard" on the computer system, so you don't have to carry yet another coffee card around in your wallet. more

The Trabant is a coffeehouse on 45th street in the Univ. District near the Ave. Most of the times I've been there have been for the open mic nights they have on (I think) Monday evenings. They were also helpful about letting me put up flyers for events inside their shop. more