Caffè Umbria

Caffè Umbria is a Seattle-based coffee roasting and café business associated with the Bizzarri family, which has been described as an Italian family of coffee roasters. The business was established in 2002 in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood as a wholesale roaster and later developed a network of cafés serving its own coffee alongside Italian-influenced food and beverages. Its founder, Emanuele Bizzarri, is a third-generation roaster and the son of Umberto Bizzarri. The company’s retail identity was established in 2005, when it opened its flagship café on Occidental Avenue in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. The location combines historic Seattle architectural references, including exposed brick, with design elements intended to evoke Italy, such as Italian tile and ceramics. The café is also known for an espresso machine imported from Italy. Caffè Umbria’s menu has included espresso drinks, brewed coffee, panini, pastries, and gelato, positioning the business between a specialty coffee roaster, an Italian café, and a casual food-service venue. From its original Seattle base, Caffè Umbria expanded within the Seattle area and entered other U.S. coffee markets. Its Seattle presence has included locations in Pioneer Square and Ballard. In Portland, Oregon, the company has operated cafés in the Pearl District, on Southwest Madison Street, and on Southwest Market Street. The first Chicago café opened in the River North neighborhood in 2015, followed by a Logan Square location in 2017. As of 2025, the chain was reported to operate four cafés in the Seattle metropolitan area, three in Portland, two in Chicago, and one in Miami. Caffè Umbria’s brand positioning emphasizes an Italian coffee tradition adapted to American urban neighborhoods. Its cafés have been presented as places for espresso, meals, informal meetings, and work, while the roasting operation supports the company’s wholesale and retail identity. Reviews have highlighted both the quality of its coffee and the atmosphere of its locations. A Portland guide described the company’s Pearl District café as an attractive and welcoming stop, while other coverage characterized it as an Italian-influenced destination within Portland’s competitive coffee scene. The business remains privately held and focused on coffee roasting, café operations, and related food and beverage offerings in the United States.

Caffè Umbria began in 2002 as a wholesale coffee roaster established by the Bizzarri family in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. The company was founded by Emanuele Bizzarri, whose family background placed the business within a third-generation Italian roasting tradition. Its initial activity centered on roasting and wholesale supply rather than a large retail café network. The company entered direct café retail in 2005 with the opening of its flagship on Occidental Avenue in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood. The café became an important expression of the brand, combining coffee roasting expertise with a design language influenced by both Seattle and Italy. Reported features included exposed brick, Italian tile and ceramic elements, standing tables, and an espresso machine imported from Italy. The menu broadened the business beyond coffee through offerings such as panini, pastries, and gelato. Caffè Umbria subsequently expanded its Seattle presence, including a Ballard location, while retaining its roasting base and association with Pioneer Square. It later opened cafés in Portland, Oregon, where locations were established in the Pearl District, on Southwest Madison Street, and on Southwest Market Street. Coverage of the Pearl District café emphasized its Italian atmosphere and its use as a meeting place for professionals, entrepreneurs, and visitors in a city known for specialty coffee. The company expanded beyond the Pacific Northwest when it opened its first Chicago location in River North in 2015. A second Chicago location followed in Logan Square in 2017. By 2025, reported operations comprised four cafés in the Seattle metropolitan area, three in Portland, two in Chicago, and one in Miami. The business has therefore developed from a Seattle wholesale roaster into a multi-market U.S. café and coffee brand while retaining its family-roaster identity.

• 2025

  Reported multi-market footprint

  [1]Caffè Umbriaen.wikipedia.org

  Reported operations included four cafés in the Seattle metropolitan area, three in Portland, two in Chicago, and one in Miami.

• 2017

  Logan Square location opens

  [1]Caffè Umbriaen.wikipedia.org

  Caffè Umbria expanded its Chicago presence with a café in Logan Square.

• 2015

  First Chicago café opens

  [1]Caffè Umbriaen.wikipedia.org

  The company opened its first Chicago location in the River North neighborhood.

• 2005

  Pioneer Square flagship opens

  [1]Caffè Umbriaen.wikipedia.org

  Caffè Umbria opened its flagship café on Occidental Avenue in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, marking a major move into direct retail service.

• 2002

  Wholesale roaster established in Seattle

  [1]Caffè Umbriaen.wikipedia.org

  The Bizzarri family established Caffè Umbria as a wholesale coffee roasting business in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood.

An Italian-influenced specialty coffee roaster and café brand combining family roasting heritage, espresso-focused beverages, and urban neighborhood cafés.

• Coffee roasting · 2002

  House-roasted coffee

  Caffè Umbria’s core offering is coffee roasted through its Seattle-based operation and served through its own cafés and wholesale business. The roasting heritage of the Bizzarri family is central to the brand’s identity and distinguishes it from cafés that operate primarily as beverage retailers.

• Café beverages · 2005

  Espresso beverages

  The cafés serve Italian-style espresso beverages, including drinks such as lattes and macchiatos. Espresso service is a central part of the brand experience, supported by imported Italian equipment and a café format designed around quick service, standing tables, and informal social use.

• Café food

  Panini and pastries

  The café menu has included panini and pastries, giving Caffè Umbria a broader food-service role than a beverage-only coffee bar. These items support the company’s Italian café positioning and make its locations suitable for meals, breaks, and informal meetings.

• Dessert

  Gelato

  Gelato has been included among the company’s café offerings, reinforcing the Italian character of the menu and extending the brand beyond coffee and baked goods.

1. 1Caffè Umbriaen.wikipedia.org