Phê Seattle: Complete Guide to Capitol Hill’s Vietnamese Coffee and Matcha Cafe
Phê is a Vietnamese coffee and matcha cafe at 721 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 on Capitol Hill. The cafe serves hand-whisked ceremonial grade matcha, Vietnamese phin coffee, roasted hojicha, seasonal drinks, and cafe food including a Banh Mi Toastie, Avocado Toast, and house-made Vietnamese banana pudding. Phê is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Phê opened its brick-and-mortar location in May 2025 after starting as a pop-up at Seattle’s Chinatown-International District Night Market in 2022. The cafe is family-run by Vy Le, her sister, and her brother. Within weeks of opening, Phê drew lines down the block on Capitol Hill and went viral on social media — without any formal advertising.
This guide covers the full Phê Seattle menu with current prices, drink recommendations for first-time visitors, food options, hours, parking, and practical details for planning a visit.
Phê Seattle Quick Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Phê Café |
| Address | 721 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 |
| Neighborhood | Capitol Hill, Seattle, Washington |
| Hours (Monday–Friday) | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Hours (Saturday–Sunday) | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Category | Vietnamese coffee, matcha, hojicha, cafe food |
| Owner | Vy Le and family |
| Opened | May 2025 (soft opening April 2025) |
| Rewards Program | Yes — Phê rewards card (ask in store) |
| WiFi | Check in store — seating is limited |
| Online Ordering | Available through phecafe.com |
| @phe.yet |
Phê Seattle Menu and Prices
Phê Seattle’s menu is organized around 4 drink categories — Vietnamese phin coffee, matcha, hojicha, and seasonal/signature drinks — plus 6 food items.
Drink Menu
Phê structures drinks by flavor profile rather than by traditional coffee shop categories. Each drink is designed around a specific combination of caffeine level, sweetness, texture, and milk choice.
Vietnamese Phin Coffee
Vietnamese phin coffee is Phê’s coffee anchor — slow-dripped through a traditional metal phin filter, producing a bold, concentrated brew. Guests choose between 4 styles:
- Black phin coffee — straight, no milk, strongest coffee flavor
- Milky phin coffee — softened with milk for a smoother finish
- Condensed phin coffee — traditional Vietnamese style with sweetened condensed milk
- Cream-topped phin coffee — dense sweet cream layered over bold coffee
Matcha Drinks
Phê uses ceremonial grade Uji matcha, whisked by hand with a bamboo chasen for each order. The matcha menu includes:
- Hand-whisked matcha — pure ceremonial grade Uji matcha, no additions, deeply earthy
- Matcha latte — vivid green tea flavor with milk, available hot or iced
- Banana Pudding Matcha — Phê’s signature drink: house-made Vietnamese banana pudding folded into an iced matcha latte
- Matcha Einspanner — dense, mildly sweet cream layered over an iced matcha and espresso base
- Coconut water matcha — lighter, refreshing matcha with coconut water
- Strawberry matcha — fruit-forward matcha variation
Hojicha Drinks
Roasted hojicha offers a mellow, toasty alternative to matcha. Phê serves hojicha as a latte (hot or iced) with the same milk and sweetness customization available across the full drink menu.
Seasonal and Fruit Tea
Phê rotates seasonal drinks and fruit teas throughout the year. Availability changes, so check with the cafe or phecafe.com for current seasonal items.
Food Menu with Prices
Phê serves 6 food items designed to pair with coffee, matcha, or a longer cafe visit.
| Item | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Butter Croissant | $4.50 | Flaky, simple — pairs well with hot phin coffee or a latte |
| Egg & Cheese Croissant | $8.50 | Warm, filling breakfast sandwich for a quick Capitol Hill stop |
| Avocado Toast | $10.50 | Creamy avocado with bright seasoning on toasted bread |
| Banh Mi Toastie | $11.50 | Savory, crisp, and more substantial — the most filling food option |
| Banana Pudding Cup | $6.50 | Soft, creamy dessert cup made for pairing with matcha or iced coffee |
| Matcha Tiramisu Cup | $7.25 | Lightly sweet dessert cup with tea flavor and a soft finish |
Phê plans to expand into a full Vietnamese brunch menu, and eventually a dinner menu with specialty cocktails and happy hour. As of 2026, the food menu above reflects the current cafe food offering — check phecafe.com for updates.
What to Order at Phê Seattle (First Visit Guide)
First-time visitors to Phê should choose by flavor preference rather than by drink name — the cafe organizes its menu around 3 distinct flavor directions.
For Coffee Depth
Start with Vietnamese phin coffee. The bold phin coffee is Phê’s most distinctive offering — the slow-drip method produces a stronger, more concentrated flavor than standard drip or espresso. Choose condensed for the traditional Vietnamese preparation, or cream-topped for a richer texture.
For Tea Clarity
Choose a hand-whisked matcha latte for clean, vivid green tea flavor, or hojicha for a roasted, mellow alternative. The ceremonial grade Uji matcha is whisked to order with a bamboo chasen — the preparation method matters and produces a noticeably different texture than pre-mixed matcha powder.
For Comfort and Sweetness
The Banana Pudding Matcha is Phê’s signature drink and the most popular first-time order. House-made Vietnamese banana pudding folded into an iced matcha latte creates a drink that works as both a comfort beverage and a dessert in one cup. The Matcha Einspanner is the alternative — dense sweet cream over iced matcha with espresso for guests who want richness without banana flavor.
For Something Lighter
Coconut water matcha and the seasonal fruit teas are the lightest, most refreshing options — lower in sweetness and calories than the cream-topped and pudding drinks.
Phê Seattle Reviews and Reputation
Phê Seattle received rapid attention after its April 2025 soft opening, drawing lines that stretched down the block on Capitol Hill and going viral on TikTok — all without any formal advertising by the owners.
Seattle Refined covered the opening in June 2025, noting the cafe’s overnight popularity and the hundreds of people who waited in line during the soft opening. A TikTok user recorded the line and stopped to ask people in the queue what they were waiting for — the video contributed to the cafe’s social media visibility.
The cafe appears on Google, Yelp, and Instagram under the handle @phe.yet. Reviews consistently highlight 3 things: the quality of the hand-whisked matcha preparation, the Banana Pudding Matcha as a standout signature drink, and the calm, intentional atmosphere of the physical space.
Vy Le has emphasized that Phê prioritizes quality over speed: “No matter how busy we get, we always focus on each cup of drink or dishes that we serve.”
The Story Behind Phê
Phê was founded by Vy Le and her sister after a trip to Japan inspired their interest in matcha — they realized no coffee or matcha shop in Seattle served what they were looking for.
Vy Le, the oldest sibling in her family, taught herself to cook traditional Vietnamese food from a young age while her parents worked. That self-taught skill became the foundation for Phê’s food menu. Her sister leads the drink development side, and together the two create the flavor pairings that define Phê’s menu.
The name “Phê” carries intentional meaning in Vietnamese culture — it loosely translates to a feeling of deep satisfaction or a high from something enjoyable. The cafe is designed to deliver that sensation through careful drink preparation, calm interior design, and unhurried service.
Phê started as a pop-up in 2022, serving coconut matcha lattes and roasted sweet potatoes at Seattle’s Chinatown-International District Night Market. The response was strong enough that Le and her sister both quit their jobs to pursue the brick-and-mortar cafe full time. Two years of construction and design followed before the Capitol Hill location opened its doors.
“I quit my job, my sister quit her job, so we were like ‘okay, we’re going to get it done, we’re going to do it right,'” Le told Seattle Refined.
The Phê Seattle Space
Phê’s interior is designed around soft light, natural textures, handmade ceramics, and natural wood grains — creating a calm cafe rhythm that encourages longer, slower visits.
The design reflects Le’s intention to build a space where people slow down. The furniture, lighting, and material choices all contribute to an atmosphere that feels distinct from the faster-paced coffee shops that dominate Capitol Hill.
Le has described the space as a place “for you to meet up with your friends, your family, and have really good drinks, snacks and some good comfort food.” The current layout operates primarily as a to-go coffee and matcha bar, with plans to transition the remaining space into a full dine-in Vietnamese brunch service once staff training is complete.
Parking, Location, and Getting to Phê
Phê is located at 721 E Pine St in the heart of Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA 98122 — street parking is limited, and rideshare or public transit is the practical approach for most visitors.
Getting There
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Walking | Central Capitol Hill location — walkable from most Capitol Hill neighborhoods |
| Public Transit | Multiple King County Metro bus routes serve Capitol Hill along Pine and Broadway |
| Light Rail | Capitol Hill Station (Link Light Rail) is approximately a 10-minute walk |
| Rideshare | Drop-off directly in front of the cafe on E Pine St |
| Street Parking | Limited metered parking on Pine St and surrounding blocks — arrives early or use side streets |
| Parking Lots | Paid parking lots are available on Broadway and nearby Capitol Hill blocks |
Capitol Hill street parking fills quickly, especially on weekends. Arriving before 9 AM on weekdays or using transit/rideshare avoids the parking challenge entirely.
Phê Rewards Card
Phê offers a rewards card program — guests collect visits toward small perks, seasonal surprises, and birthday month benefits by asking in store.
The Phê rewards card is a physical stamp-style card rather than a digital app. Repeat visitors accumulate stamps toward free drinks and seasonal rewards. Birthday month perks are available by sharing the birthday month in store.
Ask at the counter on a first visit to start collecting — the card covers all coffee, matcha, hojicha, and tea orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Phê Seattle?
Phê is a Vietnamese coffee and matcha cafe on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington. The cafe serves hand-whisked ceremonial grade matcha, Vietnamese phin coffee, roasted hojicha, seasonal drinks, and cafe food. The cafe is family-run by Vy Le, her sister, and her brother.
What are Phê Seattle’s hours?
Phê is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Hours may vary on holidays — check phecafe.com or the cafe’s Instagram (@phe.yet) for real-time updates.
Where is Phê Seattle located?
Phê is at 721 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The cafe is approximately a 10-minute walk from the Capitol Hill Light Rail station.
What should I order at Phê Seattle?
For coffee, start with Vietnamese phin coffee (condensed or cream-topped). For tea, start with a hand-whisked matcha latte. For a signature first-time drink, order the Banana Pudding Matcha — Phê’s most popular item, made with house-made Vietnamese banana pudding and iced matcha.
Is Phê Seattle hiring?
Check Phê’s Instagram (@phe.yet) or contact the cafe directly through phecafe.com for current hiring information. Phê is a family-run operation that has expanded its team since opening in May 2025.
Can I order Phê Seattle online?
Yes. Online ordering is available through phecafe.com. The menu page lists current drinks, food items, and ordering options.
Is Phê Seattle closed?
No. Phê Seattle is open and operating at 721 E Pine St. The cafe opened in May 2025 and continues to serve Vietnamese coffee, matcha, and cafe food during regular business hours.
Does Phê Seattle have WiFi?
Check with the cafe directly. Seating availability and WiFi access may vary as the space transitions from a primarily to-go coffee bar to a full dine-in concept.
Final Assessment
Phê fills a specific gap on Capitol Hill — a cafe that treats Vietnamese coffee and hand-whisked matcha with equal seriousness, in a space designed for calm rather than speed. The menu is small and intentional. The drinks are made to order with visible care. The food is light, pairs well, and stays out of the way of the drinks that are clearly the main attraction.
The lines that appeared within days of opening — and the viral social media attention that followed — suggest Phê identified a demand in Seattle’s cafe landscape that no other shop was meeting. Whether the draw is the Banana Pudding Matcha, the bold phin coffee, or simply the atmosphere, Phê has established itself as one of Capitol Hill’s most talked-about cafe openings since 2025.
