Waterfront Park was always meant to be a place to lounge, linger and belong.
In Seattle, that same feeling often happens with coffee. Cafés are natural connectors—built on rich aromas, shared tables and easy conversation. In East Africa, coffee carries that same spirit. It’s not just a drink; it’s a daily ritual that brings people together.
That’s why the opening of Overlook Walk Café feels special.
After a highly competitive process led by Friends of Waterfront Park—in partnership with the Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects and Seattle Center—Boon Boona Coffee was selected from a strong field of local operators. Chosen for its values-driven approach and deep commitment to community, Boon Boona brings East African coffee traditions to one of the park’s most energetic new spaces. In fact, every day begins with a traditional coffee ceremony as a moment to welcome in community and an act of friendship and respect. It is used to discuss community issues, gossip, and strengthen social bonds, where green unroasted coffee is pan roasted, grinded and put into a jebena, meaning clay pot—then sipped among family and friends.
-
- Efrem’s mom, Tsegheweini, prepares a traditional East African coffee ceremony at Overlook Walk Café, honoring a ritual rooted in gathering, pause, and connection.
-
- Freshly poured cups of coffee are shared during a ceremonial tasting.
“Coffee is more than a drink; it’s a cherished ritual bringing people together,” says founder and CEO Efrem Fesaha.
We caught up with Efrem to talk about coffee, community and what this next chapter at the waterfront means.
-
- frem holding his child as family, friends and community supporters gather for the official grand opening ribbon cutting.
Q: You mentioned the start of Boon Boona with a special trip to your home of Eritrea. Tell us about the moment it sparked this business idea.
Efrem: I would often walk around the capital city of Asmara in Eritrea, a northeastern African country on the Red Sea coast ––the many cafés throughout the city center were really inspiring. Walking into any café, you immediately smell freshly roasted coffee and see guests spending hours socializing, while enjoying one of the best macchiatos I’ve ever had, hands-down.
Q: A follow-up to that, what is special about coffee culture in Eritrea?
Efrem: It’s the convergence of traditional and contemporary coffee experiences. At home, you have the ritual of the traditional coffee ceremony; in Asmara, you find beautiful cafés that reflect the lingering influence of colonial Italian rule.
-
- Photo of Efrem with a coffee tree outside of his Great Aunt’s house in Debre Zeyt, Ethiopia (2017).
-
- Bar Tre Stelle in Asmara, Eritrea, inspired Efrem’s idea for Boon Boona (2011).
Q: Being from South Seattle, what’s a memory that still inspires how you run Boon Boona today?
Efrem: Growing up in the diverse community of South Seattle deeply inspired me. The way I lead Boon Boona today reflects a responsibility to create a welcoming space for our community –– while also spotlighting talented artists, fellow small businesses, and the organizations doing meaningful work around us.
Q: How does this opportunity to operate at Waterfront Park’s Overlook Walk Café influence the future of your business?
Efrem: Waterfront Park is a gateway into our beautiful city for both locals and tourists alike. Seattle is also known as the capital of coffee, and we are being provided an opportunity to share a deeper understanding of the history of coffee, while enjoying some of Africa’s finest.
Q: Why do you think a thriving waterfront in our city matters to small businesses like yours?
Efrem: A thriving waterfront—and a thriving city—should matter to all of us. We need more places to gather, build, share, and connect; that’s how a stronger society takes shape. Whether it’s over a cup of coffee, an ice cream at Molly Moon’s, or time spent together at jellyfish playground, it’s these shared moments of simple joy that bring us closer and create the community we all need.
Q: What’s one hidden gem you’ve found at Waterfront Park?
Efrem: The art beneath our café is awesome! (Referring to Ann Hamilton’s Guests underneath Overlook Walk.)
-
- A view of Ann Hamilton’s Guests under Overlook Walk.
At its heart, this partnership is about more than coffee. It’s about creating space for pause, culture and connection—the simple moments that make a public place feel like yours. As Waterfront Park continues to grow into Seattle’s everyday gathering place, we’re grateful for partners like Efrem who believe thriving cities are built around shared tables and open doors.
Next time you’re at the waterfront, follow the scent of freshly roasted beans. Stay awhile. This space was made for you.
Additional resources to learn about Boon Boona Coffee:
- Boon Boona Coffee Celebrates Latest Grand Opening at Waterfront Park, Converge Media
- At The Table With: Efrem Fesaha, Founder of Boon Boona Coffee, Sur La Table
- #IKnowSeattle with Efrem Fesaha, Visit Seattle