The Beginning
The Crumpet Shop was born in 1976. It’s a very small, very simple, very friendly place to enjoy a quick breakfast in the morning, afternoon lunch, or to just take a snack break from running around the Market. You’ll find the Crumpet Shop at the corner of First Avenue and Pike in the Corner Market Building just across from the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. The space is cute and cozy with just three tiny tables and a few seats at two different counters.

Crumpets
I’ve found that many people compare crumpets to English muffins. Yes, they’re both round. But the texture and flavor is quite different. Crumpets are thicker, fluffier, and chewier, and definitely not as dry.
Fresh, baked-on-site crumpets are served with a generous topping of your choice. Take your pick from different jams, honey, marmalade, maple butter, almond butter, peanut butter, Nutella, ricotta with pesto, cream cheese, English cheese, or just plain butter. There’s even Marmite or Vegemite if you dare. The list goes on. For breakfast, my favorite crumpet is with Green eggs and ham (pesto mixed in with eggs, then scrambled). Crumpet prices range between $1.30-3.50.
Another breakfast option is a bowl of hot steamed oat groats, with milk and honey. For just $2.75, this is a healthy bargain that will certainly fill you up.
Scones are available as well, but I haven’t tried them.

Tea with your crumpet?
The Crumpet Shop has a wide variety of English and international exotic teas such as organic White Peony and organic Silver Needle. A cup of specialty tea is $1.40. If tea isn’t your thing, espresso, hot chocolate, and a few juices are available as well. Unlimited refills for coffee and “regular” teas (not the exotics) are offered for $1.20. Cool!

Lunch
The sign hanging above the door to the Crumpet Shop states: “Fine teas and no so dainty lunch sandwiches.” They’re not kidding about the sandwiches. Note however, that these hefty sandwiches are served Tuesday through Friday only. All are served on fresh slices of flavorful McFaul’s Scottish Groat Bread, one of the owner’s own recipe, and baked on site. (What the heck is a groat, you say?? I didn’t know either, but I learned that it’s a dehulled buckwheat seed).
There are four to choose from: turkey, chicken, smoked salmon blended with cream cheese, or the tasty combination of cream cheese, cucumber, tomato, radish, lettuce, and watercress. Sandwich prices range between $5-7. These generous sandwiches will undoubtedly do you for a few hours. Soup is served as well, a cup will set you back $2.85, a half sandwich with a cup is $5.95.

Atmosphere / Surroundings
This place has a steady flow of customers, but doesn’t ever get super busy, as in there’s nowhere to sit busy. Likely, there will always be a spot to sit with room to read the paper and relax. Pleasant jazzy music plays in the background making your experience pleasant and peaceful.
Walls are decorated with posters advertising local music, theatre, and art events. But my favorite is the Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter’s Tea Party mural on the back wall. I want that.

Service
You’ll find incredibly friendly and helpful service at the Crumpet Shop. One of the owners, Nancy, reminded us twice that we could refill our coffee as often as we’d like. What a sweet lady.
Not more than a few minutes will pass before you’re name is called out to pick up your order.
Friendly reminders are posted to bus your own table when you’ve finished.

Last but not least
Be sure to check out the selection of teas and jams for sale, and the small selection of teapots and teacups. Some of the gold and silver Queen Mother ones are very cute for those girly tea parties.
Additionally, you can pick up your very own six-pack of crumpets to take home with you for just $3.

When to go
The Crumpet Shop is open Monday through Friday 7am-5pm, Saturday 7:30am-5pm, and closed Sundays. Note: Food is served until 4pm, store closes at 5pm.

Recommended: Yes

Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes