The world is full of incredible coffee and one of the best coffees can be found in Seattle. Did you know that Seattle is known because of their great reputation for coffee? That is correct! Seattle is home to several coffee roasters. If you’re a visitor in Seattle, you might wonder why there are coffee shops wherever you go. You will pass three or maybe four Starbucks on the way to work and at least as many independent coffee shops.
Here’s a fact, people in Seattle consume more coffee than in any other American city. A study has been conducted and it stated that there are 35 coffee shops per 100,000 residents. The people in Seattle spend an average of $36.00 a month on coffee. It is also nearly impossible to walk past a single block in a commercial area in Seattle. Coffee drinkers can get coffee at a local sidewalk stand, parking lot, tiny coffee houses, big coffee house, drive-through, and even delivery.
The world famous Starbucks coffee was founded in Seattle. Starbucks is considered the main representative of “second wave coffee”, initially distinguishing itself from other coffee-serving venues in the United States by taste, quality, and customer service experience while popularizing darkly roast coffee. If you are not familiar with the meaning of “second wave coffee”, it means the defining and the enjoyment of specialty coffee. Consumers expressed a desire to know the origin of their coffee and understand the unique roasting styles of what will now be called “specialty coffee” beans. This knowledge added to the enjoyment of coffee as an experience, rather than just a beverage.
To learn more about second wave coffee click here.
This city has the perfect coffee for you! So, here’s a list of Seattle’s best coffee places that Divine Maids wholly recommends
Starbucks
Of course, first on the list is Starbucks. Starbucks is Seattle’s largest coffee retailer. It was founded in 1971 in Pike Place Market as a roaster, but only later became an espresso bar. In 1984 ownership of the company changed and that change led to a massive international expansion of the company. This company is also known not just for their great coffee but also for their excellent customer service. The ambiance of this coffee place is also good for some quiet time, catch up with friends, and even a perfect venue for meetings.
Elm Coffee Roasters
You'll first spot it by a couple of blue outdoor cafe tables. It's a lovely bright space that feels bigger than it is because of the high industrial ceilings and bank of windows across the front. Try the espresso tonic, fizzy and slightly sweet. Their coffee here is best partnered with croissant.
Little Oddfellows
It's a good place to work, journal, or finish your novel—or procrastinate by taking pictures of your avocado toast—and that's mostly what people are doing. There's a little of everything: Caffe Vita coffee, Rainier beer, house-scratch sodas, and wine on tap.
Peloton Bicycke Shop & Café
Bike shop cafes are a thing in Seattle, and it's pretty much what you'd expect: repairs on one side, coffee and food on the other, and some tables to chill at. You'll spot the little shop by the world champion stripes painted across the front. It's worth going for the free coffee refills and breakfast sandwiches, even if you don't own a bike.
Mistlead & Co.
This place is a pilgrimage site for coffee nerds, with its rotation of coffee from a dozen local roasteries (the flavors lean bright, fruity, and tart) brewed by Aeropress or V60, and La Marzocco espresso machine. No decaf, but they'll make you a spicy golden milk latte, hot or cold.
Vif
This shell of a former drive-up burger joint has been transformed into bright and airy cafe and natural wine bar. The breakfast sandwich is on a homemade sweet roll, with hot pink pickled radish. Lunch and bites to go with wine later in the day are thoughtfully composed, fresh, and healthy-ish.
Tougo Coffee Co.
The long, narrow space is quiet and warm, with wood-paneled ceilings and a long share table (as well as plenty of individual seats) and a kids play area off to the side in the back. The mix of customers reflects the makeup of this historically black and brown neighborhood that's gradually becoming whiter.
Analog Coffee
Hip and perfect, photogenic and famous, it still looks unassuming as you approach its quiet corner of Capitol Hill. The warm sound of music played from a record pours into the bright little space, and they have real newspapers (on paper!) for you to read. Beautiful people work quietly on their laptops or read in the window.
Victrola Coffee Roasters
The 15th Ave location is a longtime favorite of locals, though more of them have their face in a laptop than a book these days (plenty of outlets). The staff are coffee professionals, and the lemon lavender cake goes perfectly with a short Americano.
Navy Strength
If you like to drink your coffee out of a tiki mug, this is your spot. Pops of turquoise and orange and palm-leaf lamps make you feel like you've stepped out of the Seattle rain into a 70s inflected tropical daydream.
Espresso Vivace
Not much has changed since this place opened in 1988, going on to popularize latte art. It starts trends, but doesn't bend to them. A sip of a Cafe Nico, a double espresso with shots of vanilla and orange and steamed half and half, served with an orange twist, is like a time machine back to the late '90s—in a good way.
