Copacabana Cafe

Doesn't Recommend

Lydia McIntosh

Joined 3 years ago

Horrible. The view is prime, the food is the worst I've ever eaten. I had the salad involving beef, which I'm now calling the "pulled hobo salad." It was about a third of a cup of flank steak that appeared to have been boiled to death and then shredded out evenly over a desultory assortment of iceberg lettuce, sad tomato chunks, a smattering of canned black olive slices and rubbery raw pieces of button mushroom, all under a vile vinegar emulsion. It was inedible... like eating rubber bands marinated in white vinegar. And it was $11. Awful. The place was dirty, cramped and yet packed with patrons. We we not drinking, and pretty much everyone else was. I think the location, the view, the beer and the "it's in a cactus shaped glass" margaritas must explain why this place has been in business for 46 years while much, much better restaurants have closed far too soon. Seriously, that salad was the worst food I have put into my mouth that did not end in food poisoning. My dining companion's $14 bland lamb dish was better, but only because it was basically tasteless. Save yourself, and a hobo, and don't eat here.

Doesn't Recommend

bodude

Joined 4 years ago

Don't go here...really.. Went to the market to pick up flowers for an event and decided to eat here since we have never gone there before and the menu sounded good. I never felt like we were even welcome to spend our money to eat there. Kind of like we were inconveniencing the staff by eating there. If that is the case I am so sorry for deciding to dine there. From the hostess to the waitress, just miserable zombies. If the food was good I would have at least given 3 stars but the food wasn't terrible, but it didn't taste any better than chicken helper casserole...or what they call their Paella. Tasteless, bland dish. Did I mention poor service? I've never left a zero for a tip...ever! But I didn't tip a penny cause the service was that bad.

Recommends

Nayra

Joined 5 years ago

Deliciously Bolivian Food!. This is a fantastic restaurant with a great ambiance and wonderful service. I grew up in Bolivia and I can tell you that this food is definitely authentic and delicious - unlike any other Bolivian restaurants I've tried here in the US (there is another good one in San Francisco called Pacha Mama). As for Papa a la Huancaina - the previous reviewer is mistaken. Papa a la Huancaina is very much a Bolivian dish, can be found in nearly all Bolivian recipe books, and one of my favorites growing up. :-) Peru and Bolivia share many dishes and others have slight variations - shouldn't be surprising but what is important is that they have rich and amazing flavors and Copacabana really knows how to offer that in their dishes.

Doesn't Recommend

melissahudson

Joined 5 years ago

Bad food. My boyfriend and I went there to try the cebiche and it was bad. First of all, we have been to Peru and know very well how it is made. The cebiche here is with cooked fish, an oxymoron!!!!!!!!!!!

They also name their dishes after Peruvian dishes. For example, Papas a la Huancaina, is Peruvian. It was invented in Peru and in their menu it says that it is a Bolivian sauce. Give me a break!!!! This is just pathetic.

I would definitely not recommend this place to anyone unless I want to give them a bad taste of what South American food is like. At least Peruvian food.

Recommends

Waugust

Joined 5 years ago

Leave Your Pretentious at the Door. It?s all about expectations. You won?t get gourmet for $13 I don?t care where you go but you will get good tasting food with a beer or good glass of wine also reasonably priced in a neat looking setting including both the restaurant and the market area. I?ve had both fast and slow service on different visits but when slow not to the point of being a major problem. I never miss it when in Seattle.

Doesn't Recommend

twobabylambs

Joined 6 years ago

Great location right at Pike Place market, but food was sub-par. This restaurant is awesomely located right at Pike Place market. They are on a second level and have terraced seating where you can look down into the market. We were feeling adventurous and decided to give it a try. Fiance ordered paella, but it was probably illegal for them to call it paella because it was really just curry colored rice with some pre-cooked mussels, baby shrimps, and chicken, mixed and then microwaved before serving. I'm not exagerating because they have an open kitchen and that's what I saw happened. I forgot what I ordered, but it couldn't be that impressive either because we didn't even bother to take a doggie bag. Wish they were a coffee house so we can sip coffee and enjoy the ambiance of the market. Too bad...great location, but I just cannot recommend anyone to go there if you're looking for good food.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. Seattle's only Bolivian restaurant serves up spicy dishes and paella in the heart of the Pike Place Market.