Cupcake Royale (Ballard)
2052 NW Market St
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 782-9557
Website
Categories: Bakery, Cafe, Restaurant
Restaurant Details
The Stranger's Reviews of Cupcake Royale
-
Once again Cupcake Royale is celebrating Pride Month by adding a very special cupcake to its menu—it’s called the Gay, and it’s adorable. Jun 21, 2012
-
An Embarrassment of Riches Jul 23, 2009
Dear Seattle: Please Stop Opening Cupcake, Ice-Cream, Chocolate, and Candy Shops
-
The Persistence of Cupcakes Oct 23, 2008
It's the trend that won't die, but where are Seattle's most heavenly specimens?
- Write your own review of Cupcake Royale »
Other Locations
Cupcake Royale
Madrona
1101 34th Ave
(206) 709-4497
Mon-Sat 6 am-8 pm, Sun 6 am-7 pm
(206) 709-4497
Mon-Sat 6 am-8 pm, Sun 6 am-7 pm
Cupcake Royale
West Seattle
4556 California Ave SW
(206) 932-2971
Sun-Thurs 7 am-8 pm, Fri-Sat 7 am-9 pm
(206) 932-2971
Sun-Thurs 7 am-8 pm, Fri-Sat 7 am-9 pm
(based on 3 reader reviews)
Cupcake Royale
Capitol Hill
1111 E Pike St
(206) 328-6544
Daily 7 am-11 pm
(206) 328-6544
Daily 7 am-11 pm
(based on 1 reader review)
Cupcake Royale
Eastside
21 Bellevue Way NE
(425) 454-7966
Daily 6 am-10 pm
(425) 454-7966
Daily 6 am-10 pm
Cupcake Royale: COMING SOON!
Downtown
108 Pine St
(206) 883-7656
(206) 883-7656
Average Rating:
Reviews/Comments (20)
RSS
19
I was ecstatic when learning earlier this year that CR would be opening a location on Capitol Hill. I've been an avid fan for years despite the dry cupcakes and burned coffee and the more often than not unfriendly wait staff at all locations across the city. The concept of supporting locally owned businesses in a time when it's difficult to upstart such an adventure and remain financially healthy has been the main driving force for my return visits to CR.
I finally made it to the new Cap Hill location yesterday and was unfortunately met with much disappointment. The new digs are fine. The cupcakes, well, still dry even though CR advertises "NEW More Moisty-er!" cupcakes. The real disappointment, however, came from the unwelcoming staff, one young woman in particular who was working the front counter.
When I walked in, there were two little girls with their parents at the front of line, trying to decide which delightful $2.50 cupcake would be theirs for the taking.
The counter person grimaced and rolled her eyes as the little girls debated for a few minutes longer about which cupcake to order until I was told that I needed to go ahead and make my decision as not to hold up the line any longer. No eye contact from this person, no small talk. Not even a thank you for your order as I handed over $7.50 for 3 dry cupcakes which were haphazardly placed in a little pink box covered with chocolate frosted fingerprints all over it.
For kids, well even for adults like myself who have an appreciation for sweet little nuggets of goodness, walking into CR is like walking into a fairytale. It's the experience, not the cupcake that we all want to keep coming back for. Forget this small concept and no amount of sugar will keep you afloat for very long.
More...
I finally made it to the new Cap Hill location yesterday and was unfortunately met with much disappointment. The new digs are fine. The cupcakes, well, still dry even though CR advertises "NEW More Moisty-er!" cupcakes. The real disappointment, however, came from the unwelcoming staff, one young woman in particular who was working the front counter.
When I walked in, there were two little girls with their parents at the front of line, trying to decide which delightful $2.50 cupcake would be theirs for the taking.
The counter person grimaced and rolled her eyes as the little girls debated for a few minutes longer about which cupcake to order until I was told that I needed to go ahead and make my decision as not to hold up the line any longer. No eye contact from this person, no small talk. Not even a thank you for your order as I handed over $7.50 for 3 dry cupcakes which were haphazardly placed in a little pink box covered with chocolate frosted fingerprints all over it.
For kids, well even for adults like myself who have an appreciation for sweet little nuggets of goodness, walking into CR is like walking into a fairytale. It's the experience, not the cupcake that we all want to keep coming back for. Forget this small concept and no amount of sugar will keep you afloat for very long.
17
I live abroad and was REALLY excited about CR. They got a great review by the Stranger themselves and their website is snazzy and fun, so I felt the promise of a warm cafe with miles of different scented and flavored samples of my favourite treat. So when I was visiting home I pretty much ran straight to CR, but was very disappointed.
CR (Ballard) is cramped and cold. There is one tiny display case with *plates* of 6 cupcakes each...the clerks were constantly running to the back to get more to replenish? And the cupcakes were actually hard to see! The line stretches uncomfortably close to a couple of tables, so if there are people sitting there you feel as if you're imposing on them....makes you want to hurry up and order, not a good thing for a cupcake connoisseur like myself. I wanted to savor the look of each kind before making a decision but felt too hurried. TERRIBLE coffee. The chairs and tables were wooden, severe....it was just not the comfort-food comfortable cupcake experience I wanted.
I would highly recommend the cupcakes themselves, however I would order a dozen and take them somewhere nicer to enjoy.
CR (Ballard) is cramped and cold. There is one tiny display case with *plates* of 6 cupcakes each...the clerks were constantly running to the back to get more to replenish? And the cupcakes were actually hard to see! The line stretches uncomfortably close to a couple of tables, so if there are people sitting there you feel as if you're imposing on them....makes you want to hurry up and order, not a good thing for a cupcake connoisseur like myself. I wanted to savor the look of each kind before making a decision but felt too hurried. TERRIBLE coffee. The chairs and tables were wooden, severe....it was just not the comfort-food comfortable cupcake experience I wanted.
I would highly recommend the cupcakes themselves, however I would order a dozen and take them somewhere nicer to enjoy.
16
Great cupcakes for people who've never had a good one...
Greasy frosting and dry cake do NOT a good cupcake make...
15
Please curb Frostitution
I have been there a few times before the movie next door to take in a cupcake. They are pretty ho-hum. I really don't like the frosting. Usually when a little kid gets a cupcake there is no holding 'em back, but here I get,..."do you want the rest of mine?'
What's up when kids don't like them?
Coffee counter is unbelievably slow.
14
Awesome Cupcakes
Their cupcakes are great, and they use real ingredients and make them fresh. That's the reason CCR is really popular in Seattle.
The fact that they are local business and the owner is generous probably helps. I love their cupcakes anyway, but the fact that they are really nice will keep me going there.
13
Heaven on Earth
I love cupcakes. I'll admit it, I haven't had a really bad one. But these are amazingly awesome, pretty moist (although they go great with the chai tea) and HUGE. HUGE CUPCAKES! You NEED them. The Peppermint one is my favorite so far, and the fact that they make everything from hand makes it extra delicious.
I seriously drool everytime I think about it. GO GO!
11
velvet goldmine
The cofee is alright, nothing special. The red velvet and coconut cupcakes are the only ones I really like there. I don't like how most of their frostings are cream cheese based ... and if they aren't they certainly taste like it. I can take it or leave it. I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
10
Good cupcakes!
Love the cupcakes for a change and the coffee's ok (better elsewhere). Good drop in spot if you're near one after dinner though!
9
Great ambiance - cupcakes fine
Ambiance of the Madronna shop gets 10 out of 10 stars - great music - great sunlight - the fabulous worn and comfortable look. The cupcakes are just fine.
8
Great place to buy dessert for dinner elsewhere
If you're invited to a wine snob's house and need something fun and funky to bring - this is the place to go. Great selection and eclectic choices.
I agree with the previous review. Coffee had a lot to be desired.
7
Citrus frostings are the best
Catch up, Stranger...the West Seattle "outpost" has been open a year now...anyway the cupcakes are delicious and the coffee is superior. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere light-filled and relaxing. I was pissed when it went in since we already had a bakery featuring cupcakes prominently down the street half a block. It seemed redundant and silly. Yet, admittedly, sometimes a cupcake hits the spot with your americano. I was won over and you might be too...
6
Vastly overrated cupcakes..bleh
Skip the cupcakes and get a latte. The cupcakes are stale and taste as if they have been sitting around all day (and they likely have been!).
5
Awesome cupcakes
They actually use real ingredients like butter cream and they have imaginitave flavor choices/names. Coffee is great, too.
4
But How Are Their Nachos?
Forget about the nachos. This is a cupcake place and that's A-OK with Chambers McSween.
3
Meh.
Cupcake Royale's popularity/inertia is pretty much based on being the 'first on the block' with the whole sentimental cupcake kitsch thing. Maybe their cupcakes recreate the kind Mom used to make from the box mix with a rather forgettable butter frosting, but a great cupcake it is not. If you want a much better cupcake check out the woman who sells them at the Ballard Outdoor Market on Sundays (her stand has "Heavenly" in the title). Of course, everyone has their own view of what a cupcake should be.
2
Callie is Correct
I wouldn't eat a cupcake at gunpoint, but the above review is right: that's all you need to know. Comfy stuff to sit on, coffee's good.
1
I love red velvet
The cupcakes are good, and the coffee better than Tully's (next door). That is all you need to know.
Cupcake Royale
Nearby and Recommended
Ballard
1918 NW 65th St
(206) 783-0454
(206) 783-0454
(based on 10 reader reviews)
Ballard
6049 Seaview Ave NW
(206) 789-3770
(206) 789-3770
(based on 5 reader reviews)
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