The Essential Guide to Seattle’s Coffee Shops

With hundreds of coffee shops in the city (and more popping up all the time), it’s clear that Seattle’s coffee scene is thriving. Seattle is the coffee capital of the USA, which is why coffee tourism is one of the top things to do in the city.

I’m a local who’s visited countless coffee shops in the years I’ve lived here, and I’ve put together this list to point you to the ones you absolutely can’t miss.

Craving a solid cup of joe or a one-of-a-kind specialty drink? Want a cozy cafe for remote work or a quick grab-and-go stop? Keep reading for options for all of that and more!

23 Best Seattle Coffee Shops

Sound and Fog

Minimalist coffee shop with high-quality beans, unique rotating drinks, and wine and chocolate for sale.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website

Sound and Fog is a major player in West Seattle’s coffee scene. It has high standards for its coffee, so even the most hard-to-please coffee snobs will appreciate its quality drips and specialty drinks.

This modern, minimalist shop is relatively small and has no Wi-Fi, so don’t come here to work. Instead, bring a book or a friend to catch up with and take advantage of the outdoor seating on a warm day. 

Sound and Fog stocks a rotating selection of natural wines, local beers, artisanal chocolates, and some pottery. It also sells beans from domestic and international roasters along with its year-round primary roaster, Heart Coffee Roasters.

Hood Famous Cafe + Bar

International District cafe and bar known for its innovative Filipino coffees and baked goods.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 261-2066

Go to Hood Famous Cafe + Bar with a healthy appetite. It’s a coffee shop that serves drinks with traditional Filipino flavors and a bakery with treats like ube cheesecake, biko, and buko pie.

The most popular drink is the iced ube latte, but you also can’t go wrong with a refreshing calamansi espresso tonic. Come around lunchtime to try various rice bowls. Visit on the weekend for the turon mochi waffle.

This trendy shop is across the street from the International District light rail station and has an upbeat atmosphere with friendly baristas and local gifts for sale.

Herkimer Coffee

Modern coffee shop with some of the best coffee in Seattle, all roasted in-house.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 784-0202

Herkimer Coffee has a sustainable, no-nonsense approach to quality coffee and a loyal following because of it. Its cafes are contemporary and clean, with plenty of seating and great pastries.

Find cafes in Phinney Ridge, South Lake Union, and several other Seattle neighborhoods. Herkimer roasts its beans daily. You can even watch this process if you pop into its Phinney Ridge shop (the aromas are heavenly). 

This is one of the best places to grab a coffee if you want to try a mix of light to medium roasts. Herkimer is one of my favorite local roasters, and I 100% recommend buying a bag of its beans to take home with you.

C & P Coffee

Cozy neighborhood stomping ground featuring live music and community events in a house-turned-coffee shop.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 933-3125

C&P Coffee is in the running for my favorite coffee shop in Seattle! It’s part coffee shop and part neighborhood hangout with live music, open mics, silent book club nights, and other events. 

This West Seattle gem was converted into a coffee house from a regular house and it still retains the homey feeling locals love.

Find comfy, mismatched chairs, tables, and couches inside and more eclectic seating options out front and on the side of the house. Go to the backyard to hang out in the beautiful garden during the summer.

This shop is perfect for lingering. C&P’s coffee is strong, but the menu has plenty of other options. It serves a mean Mexican mocha, if you’re looking for something sweeter. 

Victrola Coffee Roasters

Popular Capitol Hill roaster with quality espresso drinks in contemporary cafes.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (800) 575-5282

Victrola Coffee Roasters is one of Seattle’s classic coffee houses. It has multiple locations, though the most popular is its Capitol Hill cafe.

Its vintage and jazz-era-inspired flagship cafe features exposed brick walls and has a cozy yet modern environment. Head to the cafe in Beacon Hill for a quieter, more homey atmosphere.

This local roaster specializes in quality classics: espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, and cortados. You can buy a bag of single-origin coffee beans from any of its shops.

Victrola’s popularity means it can get crowded (especially in Capitol Hill). This is a great place for work if you’re able to grab a table, though 

Uptown Espresso

Casual, laid-back, and work-friendly cafe serving up lattes with “velvet foam.”

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 441-1084

Latte and cappuccino lovers are in for a treat at Uptown Espresso. This coffee shop is known as the “home of the velvet foam” and serves delicious drinks topped with thick, foamy goodness.

Uptown Espresso’s cafes are in Belltown, West Seattle, and Magnolia. Its great drinks and laid-back environment have turned many visitors (like myself) into regulars. Come to any location with your laptop. Uptown has good Wi-Fi, plenty of tables and outlets, and a relaxing vibe conducive to getting work done.

It also serves delicious pastries and has a breakfast and lunch menu that includes breakfast burritos and sandwiches to keep you full throughout the workday.

👉 Budget Hack: Come to coffee shops to save on breakfast if you’re trying to do Seattle on a budget. A drip coffee and a pastry or breakfast sandwich will run you way less than breakfast at a traditional Seattle restaurant. It’s also a good way to sample treats from local bakeries.

The Scene in South Park

An under-the-radar coffee shop in South Park with great coffee, friendly baristas, and community events.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 906-9241

I’m surprised The Scene at South Park flew under my radar for so long. This Black-owned coffee shop in the small South Park neighborhood is a gem. The baristas are some of the friendliest around and seem to know everyone that steps through the door. Even if you’re not one of the shop’s regulars, their warmth will make you feel like one.

The coffee is also solid. Love a plain drip coffee? You’ll be satisfied, but I also recommend the oat milk latte. It’s my go-to, and The Scene’s is perfection. Don’t pass up on the quiches either, which are hefty and filling.

One thing I love about this spot is that it always promotes community events. Check its Instagram page, which is kept up-to-date with events like local theater performances, African dance classes, toy drives, art markets, and vision board parties.

Cafe Allegro

Historic gem in the U-District where students and remote workers sip espresso drinks among eclectic art.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 633-3030

Cafe Allegro is one of the oldest espresso bars in the city and has been a University District staple for over 40 years. The shop is tucked away in an alley, which makes coming here feel like you’re discovering something secret. 

There’s seating on the ground floor as well as upstairs and outdoors. You’ll see a mix of students and a slightly older crowd working away on their laptops or chatting quietly. Cafe Allegro’s decor is funky and eclectic, and the vibe is subdued, yet welcoming. 

Try any of the espresso drinks (the mochas are a standout) while relaxing or working in this historic espresso bar for a few hours.

Basecamp Coffee Shop

A cool communal coffee shop in Capitol Hill that’s perfect for outdoor lovers.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 309-5088

Love coffee and the outdoors? Basecamp Coffee Shop is a must-visit for all the hikers, skiers, kayakers, and general outdoors enthusiasts. Basecamp is run by Gearhouse, an outdoor gear rental shop, and it’s a mix of a coffee shop, bar, and event space. 

The coffee, pastries, and kombucha on tap here are all great. But personally, I think getting wrapped up in all of the cool activities offered is the biggest draw of this place. 

When you enter, you’ll see a wall of upcoming seasonal events for the public and GH members. Go on Whistler ski trips, try outdoor yoga, or take a class on indoor rope climbing. Events also include board game nights or oyster tasting parties — there’s really something for everyone. 

The coffee shop is huge and popular. There seems to be a constant stream of people coming in and out every time I’ve stopped by. There’s plenty of seating, though, and it’s a good place for groups or remote workers. It’s also open later than most coffee shops on this list (till 8 pm on weekdays), so it’s great for night owls.

Monorail Espresso

Hole-in-the-wall joint in downtown Seattle with expertly made espressos.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 422-0736

Monorail Espresso is a hole-in-the-wall in the downtown Seattle area. It’s been in business since the ’80s when it started as a coffee cart. Since then, Monorail has mastered the art of Seattle’s drink staple, making it one of the city’s most beloved coffee joints.

This is the perfect place to stop for a moment to refuel when exploring downtown’s attractions. The Pike Street location has a few tables and seats outside. It’s also near Westlake Park, where you can sit down and nurse your drink a little longer. 

Monorail’s lattes are creamy, and its espressos are strong. Want a standard by which to judge coffee in Seattle? Come here first.  

Caffe Ladro

Unpretentious, local coffee chain with relaxed cafes and Fair Trade coffee.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 282-1549

There’s no shortage of Caffe Ladro shops around the city. You’ll find them in almost every neighborhood, making Ladro nearly as easy to get to as the coffee giant Seattle is most known for.

Caffe Ladro serves sustainable, Fair Trade coffee. Its drip coffees and soy lattes are phenomenal, but more adventurous coffee drinkers should try specialty drinks like the Medici or Gibraltar.

Most cafes have seating both inside and out. Ladro’s casual vibes make it the perfect place to snag a morning coffee and people-watch while you wake up with your brew.

Olympia Coffee

Local roaster with incredible coffee beans sourced from various regions in small batches.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 935-4306

Serious coffee drinkers and self-proclaimed coffee snobs: Olympia Coffee is the place to go. Its West Seattle cafe is small with limited space, while the Columbia City location is a bit larger. But the coffee at both is top-notch, albeit on the pricier side. 

This is one of the best places to buy coffee, specifically if you prefer single-origin beans and appreciate a variety of tasting notes.

Olympia always has a good assortment and rotation of beans, so you can try batches from various coffee-growing regions like Ethiopia, Colombia, and Burundi.

I highly suggest trying Olympia for a high-quality espresso, pour-over, or simple Americano. Its seasonal drinks are also worth a try if you’re searching for something flavorful, unique, and not overly sweet.

Broadcast Coffee

Clean and simple cafes with comfortable seating and fantastic cold drinks. 

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 322-0807

Broadcast Coffee isn’t the flashiest or trendiest, but this low-key neighborhood cafe is appealing in its simplicity. 

Broadcast has great standard pours and fun seasonal drinks. Visit on a warm day and try some of its cold “pony drinks” for some interesting flavor profiles.

This is a dog-friendly shop and a decent-sized place to work. It also has many pastries and other food items (burritos, salads, etc) to choose from. Find Broadcast Coffee cafes in both the Central District and Roosevelt, all close to several other stores and eateries. 

The Station

A cool and community-oriented Beacon Hill cafe with various programs and events.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 931-1357

The Station is a Black and Latino-owned coffee shop with an original location in the Beacon Hill neighborhood and a newer one in Columbia City.

This locally owned shop serves up standard coffee drinks with several specialty concoctions (the Mexican mocha and brown sugar latte are crowd-pleasers). Breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, and pastries round out its food offerings.

What sets The Station apart is its dedication to the neighborhood. It hosts festivals and night markets, features local art, supports small makers, and raises awareness about local causes to benefit the community. 

The Station is right outside the Beacon Hill light rail station, so this is an easy shop to get to. Come here to meet up with friends and learn about what’s going on in the neighborhood.

Caffe Vita at KEXP

This Seattle-based coffee chain shares a space with a local radio station and offers free coffee tastings.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 520-5800

Caffe Vita is another one of Seattle’s beloved coffee roasters. It’s been around since 1995 and has multiple shops in various neighborhoods. Visit any of them for great coffee, but the one to visit for a unique experience is the Caffe Vita at KEXP. 

This location doubles as a coffee shop and a gathering space. It’s where KEXP, a local radio station, hosts live in-studio sessions, concerts, and other events for music lovers. The large space has the coffee shop, along with a tiny record store, a stage for regular performances, and a ton of seating.

I love that Caffe Vita always has rotating seasonal lattes, plus plenty of pastries and breakfast items. There are a lot of options for coffee drinkers who want to sample some delicious single-origin or organic blends, too.

If you fall into the latter category, I highly recommend visiting on the first Friday of the month. On these days, you can enjoy a free coffee tasting while learning about some of Vita’s best-selling beans.

Elm Coffee Roasters

Modern cafe with tasting flights, fantastic coffee, and private cupping classes.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 445-7808

Elm Coffee Roasters is in Pioneer Square and embodies Seattle’s coffee culture. The cafe is attractive, clean, and modern. The coffee is phenomenal. 

The best thing to do is get one of its reasonably priced flights so you can sample a few of its drinks. Elm has perfectly extracted, smooth espressos and quality macchiatos. But you can’t go wrong with anything you try, including some of the homemade hazelnut milk. 

Espresso Vivace

Crowd-pleasing Italian-style espresso bar that tops drinks with some of the best latte art in Seattle.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 860-2722

Espresso Vivace is the place for people who love a good Italian-style espresso. Its main location in Capitol Hill is immensely popular. It caters to people with a sweet tooth and those who like their coffee black. One thing they’re arguably the best at? Latte art.

Visit a cafe or enjoy its sidewalk bar for coffee on the go. Espresso Vivace sources single-origin coffee beans, so its brews taste bold and unique. Two of its most popular drinks include a delicious velvet mocha and the Cafe Nico.

Hello Em

Vietnamese coffee and banh mi are favorites at this cafe in the International District’s Little Saigon.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website 

Vietnamese coffee drinks and banh mi sandwiches are Hello Em’s specialties. And it’s pretty darn good at those.

Order the cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee) with egg cloud, or try the cà phê cốt dừa (latte with coconut cream and chips). You can’t go wrong with any banh mi choices, but I’m partial to the breakfast one.

Grab a chair in the airy seating area and savor your selections. This coffee shop is better for chatting and relaxing than working. But there’s plenty to look at. Hello Em features local Asian art and literature throughout the shop to support and uplift the surrounding Little Saigon community.

Zoka Coffee Roasters

Spacious, work-friendly cafes with big tables and an assortment of pastries.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 545-4277

The Zoka Coffee Roasters cafes are large and quiet, with big tables and ample seating.

You’ll find people tapping away on laptops with headphones on as they work, complete projects, and study. This is one of the most popular cafes to get some work done, particularly at its University District location.

Zoka’s coffee is solid, and its chai lattes are popular. It’s got a big pastry selection to keep you fueled the whole time you’re here. There’s plenty of parking near the north Seattle cafes, making it ideal for remote workers and students. 

Moonshot Coffee

Tiny, plant-filled shop with strong coffee and an expansive coffee bean, wine, and beer selection.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 620-0315

You’ll find Moonshot Coffee just outside of Seattle’s city limits in White Center. It’s a beautiful shop with tasty coffee. 

Moonshot uses Olympia Coffee beans to make its drinks, resulting in delightful concoctions. Come for its cold brews and espresso, or try out non-coffee drinks like its golden milk latte and toasted lemonades. 

The shop is bright, welcoming, and plant-filled. Grab a seat, sip your drink, and spend some time perusing the shop’s selection of wine, beers, chocolates, coffee beans, and other goods. 

Coffeeholic House

Sweet, creative Vietnamese coffee drinks at two charming coffee houses in north and south Seattle.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 722-3327

Coffeeholic House serves Vietnamese coffee in two locations. The original shop is in Columbia City, and a newer shop is in Greenwood. Both locations are pretty and aesthetically pleasing, though the original is takeaway only.

The coffee here is unlike most coffees people are familiar with. Coffeeholic’s signature drinks are made with sweetened condensed milk, and some are topped with a salted egg foam. This a good choice for people with a sweet tooth. 

Not sure where to start? The best-sellers are the Coffeeholic Dream and the Purple Haze. Try either, and you’ll be hooked.

Ugly Mug Cafe

This University District cafe has fun specialty drinks, a tasty food menu, and the ultimate cozy ambiance.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 547-3219

Want to pretend you’re a college student again? Want to have the best avocado toast and strawberry matcha ever? Go to Ugly Mug Cafe. There are two locations: one in the University District and another in Interbay. The U-District cafe is the one to go to if you love a cozy atmosphere. 

The coffee shop is small with delightfully mismatched tables, chairs and curtains; eclectic knick-knacks; and a pillow-filled seating area by the window. It’s easy to get here via public transit since the shop is right across the street from the U-District light rail station stop.

This is a quiet and pleasant place to work or read a book. Despite being close to the University of Washington, it didn’t feel overrun with people when I was there. 

The coffee is good, but this is a great option for those who enjoy specialty drinks on the sweeter side. And while I’m normally not a huge avocado toast person, I have to shout out theirs once again. It was just that indulgent and delicious.

Anchorhead Coffee

Attractive coffee house with delicious house-made food and several specialty coffee drinks.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website

Top-notch coffee, delicious food, and a dark yet relaxing atmosphere all perfectly describe Anchorhead Coffee. 

Try out its smooth, nitro cold brew, creamy, pistachio matcha, or seasonal drinks. Anchorhead also serves breakfast sandwiches and a variety of great baked goods (I’m a big fan of banana bread and scones). 

Get some work done, grab a mid-morning pick-me-up, or meet up for a coffee date at any of Anchorhead’s three locations in downtown and Capitol Hill.

***

You can’t go wrong with any of the cafes on this list, so now it’s time for you to get out and grab a good cup of coffee! Where are you starting? Let me know in the comments.