Exhibit 5.1

                      [LETTERHEAD OF DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP]


                                October 26, 2001

BRIAZZ, Inc.
3901 7th Avenue South
Suite 200
Seattle, Washington 98108

            Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to BRIAZZ, Inc., a Washington corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") relating to the sale by the Company of up to 994,886
shares of common stock of the Company, without par value per share, initially
issuable upon the exercise of stock options granted pursuant to the Company's
1996 Amended Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), 62,422 shares of common stock
issuable pursuant to options granted outside the Plan pursuant to certain option
agreements (the "Non-Plan Option Agreements"), and up to 200,000 shares of
common stock of the Company, without par value per share, pursuant to the
Company's 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). Collectively, the
shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the Plan, the Non-Plan Option
Agreements and the ESPP are referred to as the "Shares."

     We have examined such documents and have reviewed such questions of law as
we have considered necessary and appropriate for the purposes of the opinions
set forth below.

     In rendering our opinions set forth below, we have assumed the authenticity
of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures
and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as
copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all purposes relevant hereto
of all natural persons and, with respect to all parties to agreements or
instruments relevant hereto other than the Company, that such parties had the
requisite power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to execute, deliver and
perform such agreements or instruments, that such agreements or instruments have
been duly authorized by all



BRIAZZ, Inc.

October 26, 2001
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requisite action (corporate or otherwise), executed and delivered by such
parties and that such agreements or instruments are the valid, binding and
enforceable obligations of such parties. As to questions of fact material to our
opinions, we have relied upon certificates of officers of the Company and of
public officials.

     Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been
duly authorized and, upon issuance, delivery and payment therefor in accordance
with the terms of the Plan, the Non-Plan Option Agreements and the ESPP, will be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     Our opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of Washington.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                           Very Truly Yours,

                                           /s/ Dorsey & Whitney LLP