Seattle is a coffee lover’s dream come true. With so many amazing coffee shops throughout the city, it can be hard to know where to start. In this post, we will explore the best coffee in Seattle by neighborhood for a new kind of foodie tour. Plus, we’ll take a look at the history of coffee in Seattle and how it has become one of the most coffee-centric cities in the world!
With such a well-known history in coffee, Seattle is home to some of the best coffee roasters in the world. If you’re into great food and coffee, you’ll want to find the best coffee shops when you are visiting Seattle. We think it’s worth a trip just for the coffee. Its coffee culture is diverse and creative – there’s something for everyone.
History of Coffee in Seattle
Seattle’s history in coffee is rich and full of tradition. The first coffee shop in Seattle was opened in 1885, and the city has been passionate about coffee ever since. Over the years, Seattle has become known as one of the best places in the world for coffee and is home to some of the best roasters and cafes. There are many reasons for Seattle’s love of coffee, but a few stand out: the city’s wet climate, which is perfect for growing beans; a large number of talented roasters and baristas; and the dedication of Seattleites to finding the best cup of coffee possible.
Thanks to this rich history, Seattle has developed into a coffee-centric city with a wealth of amazing local coffee shops for any type of coffee drinker, whether you’re into flavored lattes or prefer your single origin coffee black.
Best Seattle Coffee Shops by Neighborhood
Whether you’re looking for a classic cafe or a trendy new spot, you’re sure to find something to your taste in Seattle. So next time you’re in town, be sure to check out some of these unique coffee shops!
Capitol Hill
Our first stop on the coffee tour in Seattle is Capitol Hill. It’s a central neighborhood with a bustling nightlife scene, but also home to some of the best coffee in Seattle.
Pike Street in Capitol Hill is home to some pretty famous coffee roasters, like Starbucks, Victrola, Caffe Vita, and more. Some of these have multiple cafes, and you might find them on the list in other neighborhoods. Below are a few great coffee shops to check out in Seattle’s central district that you might not have heard about.
Overcast Coffee Company
Located in a bike shop in Capitol Hill, They have also been known to serve fun seasonal drinks like a Nutcracker latte. They brew coffee from small Seattle roasters like Empire Espresso and Passerine.
312 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
Anchorhead Coffee
Anchorhead Coffee has two central locations – one in Capitol Hill and one in Pike Place. Stop in for a well-made cappuccino with latte art. Plus, specialty drinks are also on offer at Anchorhead, like “honey bunches of cold brew” to go with your quaffle.
1115 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Wunderground Coffee
Wunderground is a new kind of coffee shop, blending adaptogenic mushrooms with coffee to create a new class of beverage. While it’s unfair to compare it to other classic coffee shops in Seattle, it’s worth a visit to see, learn about and taste their spin on our favorite everyday drink.
1111 E Pike St STE 111, Seattle, WA 98122
North Beacon Hill
Victrola Coffee Roasters
Victrola Coffee Roasters has a few cafes throughout the city, including 2 in Capitol Hill. One of these is a Pike street roastery that has space for cupping and training. Victrola’s coffee is a go-to for many Seattle natives for consistently well-crafted coffee drinks.
The Beacon Hill coffee shop is a great specialty coffee shop brewing delicious coffee with a laid-back neighborhood vibe. Here you’ll find everything from pour-over drip coffee to classic espresso drinks.
3215 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Little Saigon
Hello Em Viet Coffee and Roastery
A unique coffee shop in Seattle’s Little Saigon, Hello Em is a fun treat! They are serving up some classic and specialty coffee drinks with a Vietnamese twist. Try something new in the Vietnamese coffee with egg creme.
1227 S Weller St, Seattle, WA 98144
Queen Anne
The Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle is where everyone takes those sweeping pictures of the city. The upper section, North Queen Anne, is a historic but chill neighborhood and offers amazing views of Seattle and Puget Sound.
Caffe Ladro
Ladro Roasting has been around for almost 3 decades now and continues to pop up on lists for the best coffee in Seattle, for good reason. They have 16 locations across the city, including 2 in Queen Anne, so you are close to a cup of Ladro just about anywhere in Seattle.
Ladro roasts their blends alongside special lots of single origin coffee at their Seattle roasting facility which also houses a cupping lab and training program. The cozy Upper Queen Anne cafe is their original flagship spot, so check it out if you’re in the neighborhood.
2205 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Colombia City
Colombia City is southeast of downtown, near Lake Washington and King County Airport.
Empire Roasters and Records
A record store and coffee shop in one? Yes, please. Even if you’re not into records, Empire Roasters and Records has a nice and cozy vibe to ease into the day. Plus, they’ve got waffles and chia pudding and they make their own delicious cashew milk.
3829 S Edmunds St A, Seattle, WA 98118
Olympia Coffee
Olympia Coffee Roasters was founded in Olympia, Washington, but has since expanded into Seattle. As a Certified B Corp,. Olympia is constantly seeking to make coffee “fair for all” by creating a better life for its coffee farmers, staff, and customers. They have won many awards for their craft over the years, so don’t miss their coffee while in Seattle!
4824 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
West Seattle
Sound and Fog
West Seattle has the beach, tons of nature, and green space, and it’s home to some great coffee shops and restaurants. One spot you shouldn’t miss in West Seattle is Sound and Fog. The cafe mainly showcases Heart coffee from Portland alongside other notable roasters.
Among well-crafted classic coffee drinks, you’ll also find fresh items like orange nitro cold brew and creative sodas and lemonades. They not only serve up coffee, but wine and beer as well, so you can stop in all day for any of your bevvie needs.
4735 40th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Ballard
Watson’s Counter
Watson’s Counter is a Korean cafe with great coffee, something brunch spots (even in Seattle) tend to overlook. It might seem overkill to some that a restaurant roasts its own coffee beans, but Watson’s takes great pride in both. Rather than naming each different classic coffee drink, the menu allows you to choose from several different sizes of lattes (espresso+milk), from 4.5oz up to 16oz. They’ve got some other signature drinks on the menu like The Bee and the Child, a matcha beverage with milk, honey, and lavender.
6201 15th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Roosevelt
Broadcast Coffee
Broadcast Coffee on Roosevelt has a bright and modern interior – a nice space to start a fresh day. The coffee Broadcast serves is some of the best in town. Grab a cruffin and a coffee, and head to nearby Cowen Park for a leisurely stroll.
6515 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Uptown
Caffe Vita Roasters
Caffe Vita Roasters has been roasting in Seattle since 1995, so it’s fair to say they are well-known around town. Over time, they grew to 11 coffee shops in Seattle, Portland, and New York. Then, Caffe Vita teamed up with the espresso machine company La Marzocco to serve up their brewed coffee in a cool space at KEXP radio Uptown arts district. They’ve got cold brew, blends, and single origin coffee to sample while learning about La Marzocco espresso machines in a creative environment.
472 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Conclusion
If you’re a coffee drinker, the Seattle coffee scene is especially worth traveling to experience. It’s diverse, with perfectly pulled espresso to creatively crafted specialty drinks. Single origin beans are everywhere, and you’ll find every possible option for how your coffee is prepared. If you live for food, coffee, wine, and travel like we do, Seattle won’t disappoint.