Located off Southcenter Boulevard in Tukwila, Neighborhood Cafe offers a one-of-a-kind brunch and coffee house experience you won’t find anywhere else in the area. It’s where Filipino-American flavors fuse with brunch culture and where coffee flights turn an everyday caffeine run into something worth lingering over. The space, designed with industrial touches and where old cartoons are projected to R&B music, strikes a balance between modern and welcoming.
“We just want people to feel relaxed when they come in,” founder and owner Max Heigh said. “Whether you’re by yourself on a coffee break, having a full lunch, or spending time with friends and family, we’re really trying to create a space where the entire community can come in and enjoy themselves.”
Neighborhood Cafe Founder and Owner Max Heigh (far right) with his team.
Raised between Seattle’s White Center and Beacon Hill neighborhoods, Max grew up in the food industry and worked at his family’s sandwich shop from an early age. After running a successful fleet of food trucks, including Poke to the Max with renowned Hawaiian chef Sam Choy, Tukwila felt like a natural fit for Max to plant some restaurant roots of his own.
Long before ‘coffee flights’ became a trend, Max had the idea to rethink the way people experience everyday beverages. Inspired by a tequila flight he once tried in Arizona, he adapted the concept for coffee lovers—serving curated trays of mini signature drinks so guests could sample several flavors at once. Recently, Neighborhood Cafe added an Instagram-worthy Matcha Flight for those who crave a little less caffeine.
Ironically, Neighborhood Cafe’s journey began with a different kind of flight: a small proof-of-concept kiosk inside SeaTac Airport. Named Neighborhood Bubble Tea & Coffee, the original kiosk (near Gate D21, across from D5) still serves a menu of creative milk teas, espresso drinks, croissants, bagels, and empanadas. Building on its success, Max and his team are opening a brand-new, larger SeaTac location in July.
Other standout drinks include their Ube Latte (made from a purple yam native to the Philippines), Pandan beverages (the “vanilla of Southeast Asia”), Black Sesame Matcha, and refreshing Mint Mojito Cold Brew. The cafe pours local pride into every cup by sourcing all of its coffee and espresso from Seattle roaster Fulcrum Coffee.
Neighborhood Cafe’s approach to food is as thoughtful as its drinks—rooted in tradition, but not afraid to add a twist. The menu reflects Max’s Filipino inspiration while embracing a wide range of flavors. Their made-to-order Neighborhood Plate, offering house-made longanisa (sweet sausage) with garlic fried rice and eggs, is a must-try for newcomers. Craving something different? The Chopped Cheese Sandwich, inspired by East Coast bodegas, is another fan favorite that offers a flavorful take on the classic cheeseburger.
“The thing about food is, it’s meant to be an experience. So we’re trying to make it fun,” Max explained.
Max and his chefs are always testing new ideas and consulting with loyal followers on Instagram for feedback. They recently launched a Brunch Tower that stacks three tiers for delicious sampling: a hearty base of longanisa, bacon, or beef tapa with rice or potatoes; a savory middle tier featuring banana bread French toast, ube biscuits or pandesal (a sweet, fluffy Filipino bread roll); and a top tier of fresh, seasonal fruit. Cue: chef’s kiss.
Beyond the food and flights, Neighborhood Cafe has always been about building a neighborhood in the truest sense. Events, like monthly Sweet Thang Sundays (previously known as Rhythm & Rice), invite guests to enjoy their brunch plates while resident DJ Miguel Rockwell spins R&B hits.
“I think the Pacific Northwest in general is a great area to live because we are so diverse,” Max said. “There are different pockets in different neighborhoods that just offer something special and cool.”
That spirit is shaping what comes next: Max has plans for incorporating short film screenings, rotating art shows, and other creative gatherings to make the cafe a real cultural hub for Tukwila.
Ready for your first flight?
Neighborhood Cafe is located at 17165 Southcenter Pkwy, Tukwila, WA 98188
Hours:
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- Weekdays: 7am to 3pm
- Weekends: 7am to 5pm
Website: https://neighborhoodsea.com
Instagram: @neighborhoodsea
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (253) 262-0470
“They’re selling things that you won’t necessarily see at the grocery store or at other farmers markets, but [that] serve the needs of many different cultural groups,” said Kara Martin, program director of the Food Innovation Network.