The Best Coffee In Seattle: 15 Great Seattle Coffee Shops

Despite growing up in an area where coffee culture has become prominent, I did not drink coffee originally. This changed when I began waking early each day during my undergraduate studies to prepare for an important exam before attending classes. At that point, I started drinking a full pot of unpleasant coffee daily. Since then, my relationship with coffee has evolved from using a single-serve machine, to owning a pod-based system, to fully embracing coffee connoisseurship where I now hand-brew each morning`s cup with an electric kettle, electric grinder and pinky extended while sipping.

Essentially, if it lacks being single origin with a smooth texture and floral notes transitioning to a lingering citrus aftertaste, it is not to my liking. One of my favorite activities when traveling is introducing Alysha, who has never consumed coffee before, to all the finest coffee shops to sample their offerings. As I frequently find myself in Seattle, I determined to compile a guide to the premier coffee establishments in Seattle to aid visitors and locals alike in discovering a new cherished location. If you have a passion for quality coffee, this guide is intended for you.

My two brothers, both residing in the Seattle area, have experienced a comparable coffee development as I have. Therefore, I enlisted them to assist me in crafting this guide to identifying the finest coffee establishments in Seattle. We visited 12 different cafes, all with Seattle addresses, to compile this Seattle coffee reference.

To make the ranking slightly less subjective, we developed a system to rank them on their brewed coffee (pour over where possible, if not then batch brew) and their cappuccino (the best milk + espresso drink in my opinion). We rated each out of five, for a total score out of ten points.

In the text below, various coffee shops in Seattle are ranked along with details about each location and any specialty drinks worth ordering.

A brief note: There is some formidable judgement about coffee brewing going on in some of these reviews. But if you’re looking for the best coffee available in Seattle, then that’s essentially what you’re here for, right? Just recollect, while I have firm perspectives about coffee, I also don’t take myself almost as critically as some of the writing and scrutiny below makes it sound like I do. And the reality is that each place on this list can serve you a great cup of coffee.”

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I earn a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you. It goes without saying that I would only recommend something I would use or do myself.

The Best Coffee Shops in Seattle, Ranked by Three Coffee Snobs

Before we got to the specialty coffee shops in Seattle, we went to the coffee shop that started it all: Starbucks.

Getting a Baseline at Starbucks

Starbucks, based out of Seattle, paved the way for mainstreaming specialty coffee when they brought coffee to every street corner in America. Or at least Seattle. Truly, in Seattle there are sometimes multiple locations within the same two block radius.

A brief commentary on the so-called “original Starbucks” at Pike Place. SPOILER. It`s not the first Starbucks. It`s unclear if it`s even the second oldest. It simply has the distinction of being the longest-running (and excellent marketing too) but there`s no difference between it and any of the others within a two block radius. Skip the line and head there, or better yet, head to Anchorhead Coffee which is less than a block away.

We wanted to get a baseline sense of what the average cup of coffee tastes like. I think Starbucks creates a really consistent coffee experience (it’s almost like they designed it to be precisely that). It’s not great. It’s not terrible. It’s just “meh.”

I will note, the Starbucks Reserve, which aims to match specialty coffee establishments and has grown nearly nationwide, is an option I appreciate. It`s not just because the coffee is clearly superior to what is regularly found at their standard locations. The entire experience is what draws me in.

From the cold brew bar to the hot brew bar downstairs where you can get a flight of coffees made in all sorts of innovative ways (including siphon!), to all the Starbucks merchandise and gear, and the atmosphere of the entire building. The location in Capitol Hill is cool, and I always take visitors there (even if there is better coffee literally half a block away).

We went to the Starbucks Reserve on Capitol Hill to get a drip coffee and a cappuccino to start our tour of Seattle coffee shops, and I have to say… it wasn’t bad. That`s the thing about Starbucks – it’s a well-oiled machine that is automated to the point where you’re going to get a drink that is somewhere between a 4/10 and a 6/10 almost every single time.

We sampled coffee brewed via their “Clover” system, which the barista noted produces a body and roasty flavor akin to a French press. Our Kenyan coffee had exactly this heavy profile and would likely be brighter if prepared differently. It wasn`t great but wasn`t terrible either, about what you`d expect.

The coffee drink was okay too. The espresso had a somewhat burnt taste, likely purposely made that way by Starbucks to attain consistency I think. It remained pleasant to consume, and I wouldn’t complain if that`s what I received each time I order a coffee there.

I`d give each beverage a 3/5 rating, and perhaps even 3.5 for the cappuccino.

My conclusion regarding Starbucks Coffee is this: Many coffee connoisseurs look down upon Starbucks (myself included, to clarify), but if you’re somewhere unfamiliar and uncertain where to find a good cup of coffee, Starbucks is a fairly reliable choice for consistently average coffee. But you can likely do better with some effort.

Now that we’ve addressed some preliminary information, on to the ranked listings!

Where to Find the Best Coffee in Seattle: Seattle Coffee Shops, Ranked

As we set out to create the rankings below, I realized there are essentially three types of coffee shops in Seattle, and likely in cities around the world.

What sets them apart is where they source the coffee used in their drinks.

They are:

• Bean Roasters: These establishments use grains that they roast themselves. Quite straightforward.
• Bean Loyalists: These shops do not roast their own grains, but solely use beans from one specific roaster. After touring Seattle coffee shops, I saw a large number utilizing Counter Culture, Olympia, and Heart (one of the best coffee roasters in Portland).
• Bean Connoisseurs: This type of shop isn’t loyal to a particular roaster, but searches for the best coffees from a variety of roasters, usually local, but sometimes venturing farther afield.

In general, I think I prefer the coffee curators, who search for exciting and interesting coffees regardless of who roasted it. Those shops are a good way to explore the world of coffee, I think, and there are plenty of them in Seattle.

Anyway, here are the best coffee shops in Seattle, ranked by me and my two brothers, a few amateur coffee connoisseurs looking for something to do last winter.

Sound and Fog

If you like good coffee, go here. Like, now. 

Sound and Fog is a modern specialized coffeehouse in West Seattle. They mainly brew with Heart Coffee, one of the premier coffee retailers in Portland, but bring in a rotating selection of their favorite roasters from around the world on a monthly basis to offer you a tasting of what else is available. For example, in the next two months, they’re featuring DAK from Amsterdam, and Methodical Coffee from South Carolina.

I’m already excited to return. It was my initial visit there, and it’s going to be a staple for all future Seattle trips to discover new and intriguing coffees from around the world.

They also have a nice selection of natural wine, beer, and cider, if you want to pick some up while you’re there.

Cappuccino: The only element missing from this cappuccino was the latte art decoration, but honestly who cares. Perfect texture, excellent espresso flavor, and a lovely sunny morning in West Seattle sipping great coffee. Rating: 5/5.

Brewed Coffee (Pour over, Costa Rican coffee) : Fruity. Complex. Delicious. When I inquired about the brew options available, the server revealed four options! Which is superb! Then I asked him to narrow it down to two so I could choose between those… then asked for his recommendation between the duo (apologies for being bothersome!). In any case, he chose this coffee – I’m uncertain of the roaster it was from – and it was FANTASTIC. Rating: 5/5.

Overall Rating: 10/10

Specialty Drinks: Yep! All made with housemade syrups. My mom got a cardamom rosemary (??) latte, and loved it! And she’s not one to try new things all that often, so that’s a good sign.

Go For The: Fantastic drip brewing options and rotating selection of coffee from around the country.

Milstead & Co.

This is a great spot for coffee nerds like me. 

One coffee location we like visiting in Seattle is Milstead & Co.. We enjoy going there for a few explanations. It`s situated in the Fremont area near our favorite bar in the city called Schilling Cider where my mother appreciates their special seasonal beverages. They also provide a rotating selection of coffees from roasters throughout the west coast, giving us a cool way to explore new coffee companies and tastes we might not usually find in Seattle despite them also offering familiar local options.

The space is bright and roomy, with tall ceilings and ample seating, at least during regular times.

It’s also just down the street from the Fremont Troll, so if you’re coming from out of town make sure to make the journey up the hill to check it out. It’s worth seeing once, at least.

Coffee drink: Remarkably light and airy! This was one of our favored coffee drinks of all those sampled. The espresso was also quite pleasing. We would absolutely advise ordering it again. Rating: 5/5.

Brewed Coffee(Pour over, Ethiopia by Wrecking Ball Coffee): I was quite eager to sample this coffee, as Wrecking Ball is one of my preferred brands from San Francisco and I enjoy a well-crafted natural Ethiopian coffee. However, it failed to meet my high expectations. Potentially, the fault lies with me for having disproportionately high hopes. The barista utilized a Kalita Wave (I was permitted to choose between Wave, V60, and Aeropress), yet the coffee ended up rather bland. None of the fruitiness I had anticipated manifesting really emerged, although it was by no means a subpar cup of coffee. Rating: 4/5.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Specialty Drinks: Yes! A rotating menu of specialty lattes/chai and loose leaf tea is offered for non-coffee drinkers. My mom got a mocha, pictured above.

Specialties: Excellent espresso drinks and a rotating menu of coffee origins spanning the Pacific Northwest region (and sometimes further afield).

Victrola Coffee Roasters

Bias alert: I went into this already fond of Victrola being one of my favorite coffee shops in Seattle. And I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest .

Victrola has a couple locations in Cap Hill – one on 15th, and the flagship right in the heart of the Pike/Pine corridor – plus a location downtown, and one in Beacon Hill.

We’ve frequented this location for many years – particularly the flagship situation in Cap Hill – and one factor that constantly captures my attention each time I enter is the music selection. It’s forever 2000’s choice tunes, and they incessantly play the hits (“I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend”).

The decor in the shop is minimalist, with solid wooden tables and chairs and high ceilings. It’s a great place for a weekend morning with a book, or if you need to get some work done.

They have open tastings on Fridays (last I checked, these were on hold) from 11am-12pm where you can become more acquainted with the various coffees they have on offer, and tune in to a zealous barista or coffee-sourcer (is that the specialized term?) talk about their reasoning. Oh, and taste some coffee. It’s fun, and we’ve done it twice now.

Cappuccino: My elder brother, the senior coffee aficionado, was amazed by this cappuccino. We had gone through two relatively average cups beforehand at other places, and this one was silky smooth with perfectly-pulled espresso (although, we speculated if it was a single shot because it wasn’t super coffee-driven). Really, really solid. Rating: 5/5.

Brewed Coffee (Batch Brew, Uganda): This beverage was intriguing, yet I don`t think a batch brew will ever rate 5/5 for me individually. The tasting note we concluded was peanuts, which isn`t a flavor observed frequently. They normally have pour over choices, but not during our visit there. Rating: 4/5.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Special Drinks: Their menu includes a mocha and chai tea for non-coffee drinkers, though those seem to be the sole alternatives.

Focus on: House-roasted coffee, bright high-ceilinged space, and the free cupping on Fridays.

Analog Coffee

We frequented one favorite spot multiple times during our time in Granada – La Tetería del Bañuelo ( link on Google Maps).

Rather than roasting themselves, they curate top-quality coffee selections from local roasters in the area. During our visit, their offerings included beans from Camber (Bellingham), Stamp Act (Seattle) and Herkimer Coffee (also Seattle).

It’s a bright and welcoming space, and the baristas were friendly. We grabbed a seat on the wooden bench outside to relax and let the coffee cool before trying it.

Cappuccino: The texture was great, although I do wish it was a little more foam and a little less milk. But that’s a personal preference, I suppose, and my bias for 6oz cappuccinos is showing. A really solid cappuccino, either way, with perfectly pulled espresso that was neither sour or bitter. Rating: 4/5.

Brewed Coffee (Pour Over, Camber Ethiopian Coffee): Friend, this coffee was everything I dream about in coffees from Ethiopia. Light, floral, a little fruity. Delicious. We really enjoyed this coffee, and I kinda wish I had bought a bag, but I already have too much coffee floating around at home. They usually have at least two or three pour over options, which is kind of cool. Anytime there’s more than one, I get excited. Rating: 5/5.

Overall Assessment: 8.5/10

Specialty Drinks: Do bottled sparkling fruit beverages count? They offer things like house-made sweet syrups made from vanilla, but not too much else based on my observations. Their brewed coffee is reputed to be excellent too.

Worth Experiencing: Neighborhood café atmosphere and the rotating selection of manually-brewed coffee options.

Empire Roasters & Records

Before embarking on this lighthearted exercise, the area of Columbia City in Seattle had been unknown to me. Empire Espresso has been located here for over a decade, and they now incorporate a store selling music recordings upstairs. Inside, one will find a long and narrow counter with a pleasant outdoor area in the back that would be an ideal spot to enjoy a cup of coffee and unwind with an engaging book on a warm summer day.

Cappuccino: Truly, this cappuccino was among the best I`ve ever had, and all three of us agreed on that. It had a nice, light texture, but the espresso is what really made it stand out. Instead of roasty, toasty flavors you usually get with espresso, it was bright and fruity. So much so, that the elder coffee connoisseur went back in to order a straight shot of espresso to try it. Perfectly-pulled espresso and light and fluffy foam made for an incredible cappuccino. Rating: 5/5.

Brewed Coffee (batch brewed, self proclaimed dark roast): Typically dark roasts cause me to turn elsewhere. But I was committed here, and it was the sole choice. I will say for a coffee advertised as “dark roast, but not too dark,” it delivered reasonably. It wasn`t the finest batch brew I`ve ever had, but tasted well-balanced. (Note: They do have an Aeropress offering, which I completely missed when we were there). Rating: 3.5/5.

Overall Assessment: 8.5/10

Specialty Drinks: The cafe makes their own cashew milk on site, which is somewhat unique. Choices on the menu include things like a Cayenne Mocha and a Lavender Latte among other options.

Choose The: Excellent espresso and selected drinks with house-made syrups and cashew milk.

Tougo Coffee

Situated on Yesler Way, in a region of Seattle that I have not spent much time despite its relatively central location near Capitol Hill, Tougo Coffee was a pleasant revelation.

This coffee shop had been open since 2009, but it was my first time hearing about it. We were there early on a Saturday morning when they first opened, and we were the only customers. The barista was extremely friendly and talkative, humoring our poor jokes and “aren’t we so amusing” attitudes that I surely would have found bothersome if our positions were opposite.

Cheers to her for that, and for making one of the best cups of coffee we had in the “research” for this guide.

2021 Update: Upon returning to Tougo coffee shop near a full year later, I once more savored their exquisite pour over coffee – still crafted with care by Onyx Coffee.

What stood out most this visit was owner Brian`s striking familiarity with virtually every patron. He engaged each in friendly, in-depth conversations regarding their lives and experiences as he prepared their drinks. Or customers clearly knew one another well. In any case, meaningful connections clearly flourished at Tougo.

For me, coffee partly focuses exploration and partly fosters fellowship. Sitting 15 minutes sipping a natural Costa Rican brew crafted with affection by Brian, it seemed clear he prioritizes bringing people together. A quality I appreciate.

This spot stands out as a recent find of mine – they import coffees sustainably sourced from top North American roasters like Portland`s Heart and San Francisco`s Linea.

Cappuccino: The cappuccino was satisfactory – the espresso was pulled perfectly, and my major criticism is that it was an 8oz cup, which provides a more milky experience than a 6oz cappuccino, which is what I tend to prefer. The milk texture was fine, not light and fluffy, but also not overly latte-like. Overall, a solid cup of coffee, but nothing exceptional. Rating: 3.5/5.

Brewed Coffee (Pour Over, Onyx Ethiopia): On a rare occasion, you get a pour over coffee that fundamentally alters your life. In this situation, it was an Ethiopian coffee from Onyx Coffee Lab, which I have recently developed an intense fondness for due to their astounding coffee and, more crucially, their breathtaking packaging. This happened to be a cup of excellence winner, and it was like experiencing a striking encounter with a branch heavy with ripe blueberries. And I mean that in the most positive way imaginable. All three of us promptly gave it a 5/5 rating, and it stands out as one of my preferred cups of coffee on this entire list. Rating: 5/5.

Overall Assessment: 8.5/10

Go To For: Selection of coffees from Pacific Northwest roasters made with care by helpful baristas on a redesigned La Marzocco machine.

Fulcrum Coffee

Fulcrum Coffee combines three distinct companies – Fulcrum, Urban City, and Silver Cup – with slightly varying perspectives on coffee. The one discussed here – Fulcrum – has a lovely minimalist cafe in Belltown just a few blocks from both the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. They also operate a roastery in SoDo that I haven’t visited yet.”

Cappuccino: This cappuccino was excellently crafted with a smooth transition from foam to coffee and flavorful but not overpowering espresso. I appreciated its lightness, usually indicative of fine foam. A very pleasant cappuccino I`d order again. Rating: 4.5/5.

Brewed Coffee (Pour over, Guatemalan Coffee): This coffee was prepared individually by the pleasant employee behind the counter utilizing a V60 device, and whilst it generated a respectable cup of coffee, I do not believe the beverage was notably intriguing or thrilling. Brewed competently, but I wish we`d opted for an alternate coffee selection. They provide you with a couple choices, and unfortunately we simply happened to pick incorrectly on this occasion. Rating: 3.5/5.

Overall Rating: 8/10

Special Seasonal Beverages: They offer a rotating selection of interesting drink choices that change with the seasons, including a blueberry muffin latte that looked very appealing.

Go For The: Bright and airy atmosphere and quality coffee.

Woodland Coffee

Woodland is not a coffee roaster itself, but they curate some amazing coffees from Olympia coffee and have a pleasant space in Ballard. It’s a relatively new location, only open for a few years, and I had never heard about it until very recently. Still, demonstrating that age is just a number (our mom`s favorite saying), all three of us were agreeably shocked with the quality of the coffee, and the formation of the indoor area.

It’s locally possessed and run too, which I view as a plus.

Cappuccino: The cappuccino here was truly delightful. Nothing extraordinary, but the milk was light and fluffy (some may say too light, but I prefer my cappuccinos less creamy) and the nutty richness of the espresso really came through and was quite pleasant. Rating: 4/5.

Brewed Coffee (Batch brew, Olympia Coffee Holiday Blend): Ordinarily, mass produced coffee is rather unsatisfying (brief aside: I`ll still consume it if necessary owing to my extreme caffeine dependence). Specially if it has been standing around for a stretch, which this variety almost unquestionably was as we were there during a slower period after lunch. Yet somehow the coffee tasted freshly harvested, fruity, and richly full-bodied. Had you told me it was crafted exclusively for me as a pour over, I would have accepted it as genuine. The two of my siblings agreed, and pinpointed that the coffee was extraordinary. Rating: 4/5.

Overall Rating: 8/10

Olympia Coffee Company

Prior to this whole event, Olympia Coffee was among my favorite coffee roasters worldwide, beginning right here in the Pacific Northwest! Until recently, obtaining their coffee in Seattle had been difficult because the nearest location was in Tacoma. But now they have two locations in Seattle – one in West Seattle, and one in Columbia City (south of Downtown Seattle).

Their cafes consistently feature stunning design, full of natural light and sporting the minimalist white-walled aesthetics commonly found at trendy coffee spots across the country.

One factor I appreciate concerning Olympia is their dedication to “Fair For All,” which generates transparency in how they source coffee and results in an improved standard of living for all engaged throughout the complete supply chain. Find out more here. They’re also a Certified B-Corp, which I know involves a ton of ongoing effort to achieve and I applaud them for.

Cappuccino: The cup caught my attention for being so light. They serve their cappuccino as a modest 6oz serving, achieving the ideal balance of coffee and milk in my view. The texture was superb – light foam forming the top layer, with a smooth base. To be frank, the coffee itself had a faint burnt taste. Rating: 4/5.

The coffee brewed using the Pour Over method with a SteadyPour device from El Salvador, namely, was disappointing to all three of us. While it exhibited some potential, it lacked brightness and citrus flavors did not come through strongly. In general, my assessment was indifferent. I am aware from past experience that they have outstanding selections, though this was not among them. Rating: 3.5/5.

Overall Assessment: 7.5/10

To be truthful, I was slightly disappointed. They’re still among my favorites, but the coffee wasn’t as remarkable as I recollect having on our numerous trips prior to this one.

Seasonal beverage choices: Throughout the winter season, they offer special drinks such as a “Nutcracker,” consisting of bourbon-barrel aged maple syrup and pecans in a latte, and “the Great Pumpkin,” made with roasted kabocha squash, milk, espresso, and chai spices. Moreover, they provide a suitable selection of tea lattes, for instance a London Fog which is among Alysha`s preferred orders, along with housemade chai.

Union Coffee

Situated on Union Street in the Central District, Union Coffee acts as part coffee shop, part wine shop, and serves a selection of diverse Pacific Northwest coffee roasters such as Olympia and Looking Homeward, among others.

The union coffee shop caught my attention during my research into locations to add to this list, according to an article I came across discussing its new ownership and efforts to reshape common narratives in the central district. As someone who has explored widely and invested considerable time learning about stimulating coffee shops everywhere, I sometimes struggle with visiting a trendy new cafe in a gentrifying community, a familiar phenomenon in cities worldwide these days.

New owner of Union Coffee, Geetu Vailoor, said this about that conflict I’ve felt in the past: “I’d like to reduce that narrative and rewrite it because I think that coffee is for all.”

Coffee: This was an excellent coffee drink, with superb texture and finely pulled espresso. After debating whether a score of 4⁄5 constitutes “great,” we decided that while it wasn`t extraordinary, it rightly earned a “B” rating. Rating: 4/5.

.

Overall Rating: 7/10

Specialty Drinks: They offer a selection of the customary espresso beverages on the menu, as well as pour over options and exceptional seasonal lattes (maple rosemary and chaga mushroom were some of the winter options when we were there).

Ghost Note Coffee

Go for the specialty drinks!

I was quite enthused about Ghost Note, a smaller, modern shop located in Capitol Hill. They offer highly unique specialty beverages, and they bottle their own drinks such as chai to purchase to take home. However, the quality of the coffee just wasn’t very good.

That being said, I would absolutely return to try their special drinks that they craft with homemade syrups. They’re more like elaborate cocktails than anything else, and I would say those are the highlights.

Cappuccino: The espresso had a very intense bitterness. Usually I can barely distinguish the taste unless it`s extremely off, so that says something. The texture also wasn’t very pleasant – instead of silky smooth, it was one dollop of foam on top, and beneath it essentially a latte. Though, kudos for the 5oz cappuccino size! That’s the right amount, in my opinion. Rating: 3/5.

Brewed Coffee (Modified espresso machine, natural-process Ethiopia): I`m uncertain how this procedure operates exactly, but they employ a revised espresso appliance that applies less pressure and circulates the coffee through the system. However the scientific principles function, the coffee (which I`ve actually prepared myself at home before) was rather dull. Just a hint of the fruitiness came through, and we even tried it at multiple temperatures to ensure we weren`t missing anything. Still, it was “not objectionable” as one of my brothers put it, it simply didn`t live up to our expectations for the coffee used. Rating: 3.5/5.

Overall Assessment: 6.5/10

Special Drinks: This is where Ghost Note truly stands out. While their standard coffee options weren’t exceptional on the day of our visit, their prepared beverages look divine. Consider the “Lush Life” – a chilled beverage containing espresso, almond milk, orange blossom honey & grapefruit flavors – and the “London Smog” (that Alysha is eager to sample) – a heated drink featuring pine-flavored black tea, chai-spiced honey & steamed oat milk.”

Opt for the: Cocktail-like specialty beverages.

Zoka Coffee Roasters

Zoka is an ethical coffee roaster that understands their coffee purchasing decisions impact communities in coffee growing areas, and they acquire over 90% of their coffees directly from farmers to ensure the investment benefits the community providing the crop. Which I think is a very commendable approach.

Their owner had been a expert judge in the Cup of Excellence program around the world, and their baristas consistently perform well in national barista competitions, so they comprehend quality coffee.

They have several locations around the Seattle area – we chose their flagship in Green Lake, which is actually extremely close to where I used to live in Seattle and I wish I had known about it back then. The rustic space features a lot of wood and wing-backed chairs, and my younger brother commented that it would be a fantastic place to come on Saturday morning with a book or some work and hang out.

They also have locations in South Lake Union, the U-District, and Kirkland.

While the setting`s atmosphere was great, the coffee was rather underwhelming.

Cappuccino: Primarily, the consistency achieved with this cappuccino was ideal. While the milk had been prepared perfectly with a light, rich texture, unfortunately the espresso disappointed somewhat. It was rather bitter and this acrid flavor intensified as it cooled leaving the espresso taste more prominent. Rating: 3/5.

Brewed Coffee (V60 hand-poured, Ethiopian coffee): Regrettably, the pour over method produced a cup that was a bit too watery and under-extracted. Notes of citrus could be detected, but the foremost taste noted would be “water.” Rating: 3/5.

Overall Rating: 6/10

Special Drinks: Seasonal specialty drinks are offered – when there during winter, options included a pumpkin spice latte, eggnog latte, and honey cardamom latte to select from, along with three types of chai which Alysha enjoys (lavender, ginger, and morning glory).

Go For The: Ambiance. A perfect place to read a book or get some work done.

We also visited Evoke Espresso and QED Coffee, which were both decent, not great, and didn’t make the list of the top coffee shops in Seattle.

Even More Great Seattle Coffee Shops: A 2021 Update

This section is not about ranking these establishments, but is a supplement based on further investigations of Seattle’s coffee scene a full year after the previous version was written.

We had visited these shops before and returned with the assessment that they deserved recognition on this list, regardless of a meticulous coffee menu analysis or competitive rankings.

Anchorhead Coffee

In most of the guides I write about Seattle, you’ll usually find some sort of complaint about the so-called “First Starbucks.”

Which is essentially a marketing tactic more than anything else. It’s not truly the initial Starbucks. That location no longer exists, so perhaps you could refer to it as the oldest remaining Starbucks, but that does not exactly roll off the tongue effortlessly. It’s also not any different from any of the additional seventeen Starbucks areas within a four block radius. To make things worse, there’s almost always a line around the block for what is ultimately an average-at-best beverage.

How is this related to Anchorhead? My recommendation for caffeine lovers visiting Pike Place Market is to skip that Starbucks and walk a block down to Anchorhead instead.

While their filtered coffee isn’t my preferred style (at the Seattle location near Pike Place, it’s exclusively batch-brewed as far as I know), it greatly surpasses the Starbucks version. What they execute well, I feel, is specialty seasonal drinks – they offered an orange mocha last winter that was quite pleasant – and espresso-centric drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

Their iced coffee is also quite satisfactory, though it stimulates me far too energetically far too promptly for me to opt for it often.

They also generate their own fare and pastries, which is fairly exceptional in the Seattle coffee scene (many establishments bring them in from other local companies).

The last cappuccino we had there was almost perfect – I’d give it a 4.5 / 5 if I was including it in the rankings above.

Caffe Vita

Caffe Vita is one of the pioneering coffee roasters in Seattle, though to be honest, I hadn’t really given them a try until they opened in the old La Marzocco / KEXP space at Seattle Center.

Because I hold that space in such high regard, I decided it was time to grant them the consideration they likely deserved long before I eventually sampled their coffee.

And you know what? They delivered.

Their coffee menu includes everything I look for – filtered coffee with choices for batch brewing and pour over using different single source beans, espresso drinks, and seasonal specialty beverages such as a Seville Orange latte.

As a side note: I take issue with the name of that particular drink because, based on our recent trip to Seville, it would be entirely unpleasant if they used the bitter oranges that are common in the streets of Seville.

During my visit, I ordered a one-and-one, which involved a double shot of espresso divided between two single shots, with one served as espresso and one as a macchiato. I appreciate when establishments provide options to sample different styles and varieties of coffee, and this was an enjoyable way to do so.

I`m fond of their KEXP location at Seattle Center- the last time my brothers and I were there, they started teasing me for the fourth time in an hour that I expressed how much I enjoyed the space. They also have sites in Cap Hill, Queen Anne, Seward Park, and Fremont.

Cafe Hagen

I was quite surprised by this, because I had always thought that Cafe Hagen focused less on the coffee and more on Amazon employees competing against each other over cheese plates. This was likely mostly due to its location right in the center of the Amazon area in South Lake Union.

Turns out, I was wrong. 

While they do focus strongly on food – their freshly baked pastries look incredible (I have Celiac Disease, so no pastries for me) – they also take their coffee seriously.

“You must sample the Wush Wush [a single-origin Ethiopian coffee – here], its taste resembles a Jolly Rancher!” a coffee-loving acquaintance informed me as we queued at the stylish, modern venues in South Lake Union.

You can have your coffee in any way you like it, from single origin pourovers to perfectly-frothed cappuccinos, and anything in between. They also have a couple of rotating seasonal beverages, like a black currant espresso concoction in the spring.

However, my preferred part about Cafe Hagen’s coffee offerings is the espresso tasting, where patrons can get three shots of espresso side-by-side, allowing one to really distinguish the differences between the coffees.

Exploration is the fun part of coffee for me, and I was ecstatic when Mr. Wush Wish said “I have never tasted an espresso like that” after trying one of the espresso shots that was particularly lively.

My assessment is that the coffee quality is truly excellent, and the addition of superb food (I mentioned the in-house pastries?) and fun coffee activities make this a worthwhile stop for coffee enthusiasts in Seattle.

Boon Boona Coffee

Boon Boona is a coffee establishment in Renton that uniquely sources exclusively African coffees, but they recently opened a location in Seattle across the street from Seattle University on the border between Cap Hill and the Central District.

Their coffee beans are roasted in Renton, and they focus on building long-term relationships with farms and cooperatives in Africa.

We stopped by on a sunny weekend morning, and the café was bustling with a blend of students and locals. The coffee itself was excellent – we had an espresso that was bright and flavorful, and a cappuccino with perfectly-foamed milk that we all truly enjoyed.

For those yet to partake, consider making a visit to their roastery in Renton to participate in an Ethiopian (or Eritrean) coffee ceremony performed live, where the beans are roasted over an open flame and brewed freshly before guests.

It’s a novel way to experience coffee, and is a welcome alternative to the “fast fast fast” coffee way of life that has been created by mobile ordering and, well, Starbucks.

I also greatly enjoyed their “three origins within an origin” tasting assortment, which consists of three different coffees from Ethiopia with diverse methods of processing and flavors, highlighting how coffee can differ, even within the same nation.

We’re all about trying new and exciting coffees, and this is a fun way to do it.

The Best Coffee in Seattle: A Map of Seattle’s Coffee Scene

Here is an interactive map of our preferred coffee shops in Seattle, so that you could possibly discover one or two new locations to include to your own listing.

Three Amazing Seattle Coffee Experiences

These three spots don’t truly fit into the earlier stated list and standards for one reason or another, but are absolutely worth exploring if you’re in Seattle and love coffee.

.

I have frequently enjoyed attending the Counter Culture Tasting at Ten event. Located in Emeryville near their roastery where I once worked, and now every Friday in Seattle`s Pioneer Square at their Training Center, it is essentially a free hour-long class about coffee topics that typically ranges from home pour over techniques to tasting the same beans brewed differently to sampling new releases. We have gone multiple times and always find it a pleasant experience to learn more about coffee.

Espresso Vivace: I chose to feature Espresso Vivace, a Seattle establishment and likely the origin of the more fruity, modern espresso style, in this section. Because if you judge them based on their cappuccino and brewed coffee, when they don`t actually serve the latter, then you`re missing the point of a visit. You should go there for a perfectly executed shot of espresso, and the Cafe Nico.

---

In a city full of great coffee, those are our picks for great coffee in Seattle.

Do you have a coffee shop that you like that we didn’t mention? I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE hearing about it! Send me a note and I’ll add it to my list to try!