Looking for great coffee? You chose the right place. Seattle’s coffee culture is diverse, growing, and continuously inventive. In addition to longstanding institutions like Caffè Umbria and Espresso Vivace, new cafes spring up frequently, bringing their own distinctive contributions to the coffee scene. Launching last year, Wunderground Coffee put a spin on coffee drinks with its coffee and adaptogenic mushroom options. Coffeeholic House and Hello Em have both opened in the last couple of years, introducing Vietnamese coffee to more caffeine heads than ever before. Expert roasters from Costa Rica and Ethiopia — at Fulcrum Coffee and Cafe Avole respectively — are expanding their operations in additional or new spaces.
Aside from providing exceptional pour overs and standout espresso drinks, Seattle’s coffee spots are vital neighborhood hubs for community. Coffee shops like The Station in Beacon Hill, Black Coffee Northwest locations in Shoreline and Ballard, and South Park’s Resistencia Coffee have carved out neighborhood spaces for art, mutual aid, and activism. No matter what corner of Seattle, delicious coffee served in a welcoming space is usually a short walk away.
This guide highlights some of the city’s finest coffee spots. As usual, this list is not ranked; it’s organized geographically. For some standout small batch roasters (with or without a cafe attached), check out this guide.
Know of a spot that should be on our radar? Send us a tip by emailing seattle@eater.com.
Note: Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.
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