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Step into Batdorf & Bronson Legacy Cafe on any given day, and you’ll likely find a familiar scene: espresso machines humming, friends catching up over coffee, and someone quietly warming up with a cup by the window. Inside, warm inviting colors, rounded bar and tabletop edges, and plants spilling around the windows create a cozy backdrop for conversation. A few disco balls hang overhead, scattering little flashes of light across the cafe and adding to the space’s playful, eclectic charm. It’s the kind of place where people linger—not just for the coffee, but for the feeling of belonging.
Established in 2001, the cafe carries forward a rich local coffee tradition that began in 1986, when the original Batdorf & Bronson roasting company became the city’s first specialty coffee roaster. Today, owner Krista Bentow and her team continue that legacy with thoughtfully crafted espresso drinks, pastries, and grab-and-go bites that keep this downtown Olympia coffee shop buzzing every day of the week.
Classic Espresso Drinks & Creative Local Touches
The cafe is best known for its classic espresso offerings—a perfectly balanced cappuccino, a bold double espresso, or a traditional macchiato—alongside playful seasonal drinks that regulars eagerly anticipate each year. Beyond the menu, the cafe celebrates creativity by showcasing goods from local artists, from handmade mugs to soaps, and displaying rotating artwork on the walls.
Carrying Forward a Beloved Coffee Legacy
When West Coast operations for Dancing Goats closed at the end of 2024, Krista Bentow stepped in to ensure the beloved space could continue serving the community. Her goal is simple: keep the cafe welcoming, eclectic, and authentic.
“We want people to feel a sense of belonging here, where they are safe to just chill and be themselves,” Bentow says.
A Gathering Space for the Olympia Community
What truly sets the cafe apart is its sense of community. Over the decades, the cafe has welcomed three generations of customers. It’s the kind of place where you’ll see first dates, longtime friends catching up, or someone simply warming up with a cup of coffee on a rainy day.
Investing in Partnerships and the Next Generation
Looking ahead, Bentow is focused on strengthening community connections through partnerships with organizations like the Olympia Downtown Alliance, Safe Place, and EGYHOP, while continuing collaborations with the Olympia Farmers Market. She’s also passionate about investing in her staff by providing training and education opportunities that help them grow within the coffee industry.
“We are so fortunate to work with so many incredible community partners,” Bentow says. “We can’t see any way other than to continue developing those relationships and supporting our community.”
Stop by Batdorf & Bronson Legacy Cafe in downtown Olympia for a classic espresso, a seasonal favorite, or simply a place to slow down and connect. Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, there’s always a warm welcome waiting for you.
Batdorf & Bronson Legacy Cafe
111 Market St. NE, STE 102
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 528-8555
Photo Credit: Olympia Downtown Alliance. All images are our own; please contact us (mwillie@downtownolympia.org) for explicit permission before use.
