about sabine café—

now open for dinner! join us tuesday–saturday for the flavors you love from our daytime menu elevated for your evening enjoyment. traditional table service means our staff can guide you through our menu meant for exploring, sharing, and indulging. limited reservations will be available soon.

sabine is a café, bar, and bakery serving a lively brunch and dinner experience for all on ballard ave. here you'll find vibrant espresso drinks, colorful cocktails, and fresh pastries, breakfast, and lunch served daily. our inviting menus draw upon mediterranean influences with middle eastern spices and herbs, while our dedication to using local, in-season, and organic ingredients wherever we can highlights the bounty of the northwest.

join us for your daily brew in our beautiful café, bring your favorite out-of-towners for mimosas and brunch on the terrace, or gather ‘round the table for dinner shared with friends and family. our juicy cocktails can be found day and night and compliment the flavors on our menu beautifully.

the story of sabine café starts with a tale of adaptation; the decision to close the beloved bastille café and bar after ten years of service came soon after the pandemic of 2020. with revitalized vision and a passion for espresso and the community surrounding it, our talented and dedicated team transformed sabine into ballard’s beloved café, bar, and bakery it is today. meet the magic-makers who make it all possible:

Kathryn Meyer

general manager and operating partner
roots in whidbey island · started at my family's beloved coffee shop, miriam's espresso · went on to open and manage restaurants in las vegas for jose andres and in austin at jeffrey's · joined the family in 2017 as the hr director after working for owner deming maclise as a barista at cafe fiore back in 2006 · inspired by the european way of life… family, arts, coffee, dine, wine, rest, repeat · find me in edmonds on the beach with my baby girl
Jacob Dunkelberger

executive chef
roots in seattle · started at spinasse and portage bay café · went on to san francisco to open mh bread and butter in marin valley and eventually to los angeles to open jaffa · inspired by my trips to the middle east and the mediterranean · joined the family in 2020 to open sabine café · find me golfing with the butter boy or drinking natty wine at imperfetta
Caroline Kimball

agm and private events manager
roots in new england · started at heritage distilling co · went on to manage events at sabine · inspired by the ballard community and people I work with · joined the family in september 2022 · find me at golden gardens or on the mountains
HEATHER LAW-POWERS

head baker
roots in gainesville, florida · started at london plane · inspired by traveling, always on the hunt for the best pastries in every city · joined the family in may 2023 · find me in my garden with my dog or on long walks around the city with friends
ISAAC STINSON

café supervisor
roots in seattle · started in hospitality at biscuit love in nashville, where coffee became a passion · joined the family in 2022, refining service industry skills and embracing the craft · inspired by robin wall kimmerer, saba, david ridgen, and the concept of gradual betterment · find me hiking, running, or at a bakery in between
Gerardo Antonio Alfaro Valles

sous chef
roots in el salvador · started in restaurants while balancing high school, first working at agrodolce in fremont for five years · has since worked in over 35 restaurants, always learning and evolving · joined the family two weeks after sabine opened · inspired by family’s support and the pursuit of new techniques and culinary knowledge · find me continuing to work, learning more about food, and refining my craft
David Kurvink

sous chef
roots in florida, raised across the south and midwest · started cooking at a college grill in columbus, ohio before moving into fine dining, farm-to-table, and upscale casual restaurants · joined the family in mid-2024 to help shape sabine’s dinner service and collaborate with local farmers · inspired by the amazing people I work with, the community we cook for, and the science behind the culinary world · find me fishing, hiking, off-roading in the mountains, in the gym, on my motorcycle, or eating my way through seattle
Gaz Thompson

service manager
roots in brooklyn, ny · started at westville nyc and went on to osteria la buca in los angeles · joined the family in may 2024 · inspired by how simple things and details make a huge impact · find me aimlessly exploring the city on foot, often with my dog, popping into restaurants and bars for a bite and inspiration