In addition to being a warm cafe, Shoreline’s Black-owned nonprofit Black Coffee Northwest is an important hub for communities of color in North Seattle, offering youth-focused programs like barista training, internships, and leadership opportunities. Swing by and pick up a Melanin Mocha or Africano in a variety of styles.

Named partly after the Queen of Sheba (Makeda), and partly after chef-owner Prashanthi Reddy’s rat terrier (Mingus), this Greenwood charmer specializes in not just excellent brews, but also a stellar menu of Indian fare in its weekly dinner offerings. The golden milk latte, a family recipe from Reddy that you can get as is or dirty, is also a highlight.

Founded in 2003, Herkimer Coffee is a wholesale roaster with four cafe locations in Seattle, including this one in Phinney Ridge. Herkimer emphasizes relationship-driven models of direct trade and sourcing, offering both blends and single-origin beans. You’ll find the likes of Ethiopian coffees from Gogogu Bekaka in the Guji zone, Colombian brews from longtime partners at Finca Campo Amor, and more. Not sure what to choose? Just ask one of the helpful baristas, or check out the coffee subscriptions online.

Inspired by the flavors and Latinx cultures of Miami, Papa Chango adds a fresh twist on coffee drinks. Housed inside the Ballard retail store September, the takeout-only, pint-sized cafe often has long lines, and its pastries like papaya scones and pastelitos tend to sell out fast. Owner Sergio García tries to switch things up seasonally, rotating through specialties like a guayaba espresso tonic drink and beans from Bolivia and beyond.

One of the oldest shops and roasters in the Seattle area, Cafe Allegro has been serving up espresso in the University District since 1975. Allegro’s coffee is available online, but to really feel the old-school Seattle vibe, you’ll want to go there in person. The entrance is through a brick-walled alley.

In 2020, the 15 year-old Fuel Coffee officially came under the new ownership of Danielle and David Hulton, owners of Ada’s Technical Books & Cafe. Since then, Fuel’s three locations have undergone a bit of a makeover. The result is a fresh new look, design, and the addition of books for sale. Check out the space-themed Milky Way and Andromeda blends.

Founded in 1988, Vivace was a pioneer in the early days of Seattle espresso culture, especially through the contributions of co-founder David Schomer. He wrote an influential book on espresso techniques and latte art in 1994 and, over the years, educated countless baristas who have gone on to open cafes and chains of their own. The company has a few locations, but those who want to pay homage can visit a shrine to Caffeina, Goddess of the Walking Day, near the Capitol Hill sidewalk bar.

One of Seattle’s most-esteemed roasters is run by fifth-generation Costa Rican coffee farmer Blas Aflaro. Fulcrum’s Belltown cafe is modern and welcoming, and delivers on the high standards set for quality coffee. Here, you can order a meticulously prepared espresso from one of Fulcrum’s thoughtfully sourced roasts, a nitro or canned cold brew, or something else playful like a pink beetroot latte with rosewater and jasmine flowers. The SODO-based roaster also has a shop called Urban City Coffee in Mountlake Terrace.

This operation offers what very few Seattle roasters can: Ethiopian coffee sourced from and imported by Ethiopian roasters. Many of its offerings come from Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia, known for rich, chocolatey flavor with explosive berry notes. Co-founder Solomon Dubie observed the Ethiopian coffee ceremony from an early age, and has an instinctive feel for taste. Cafe Avole is located in the Central District’s Liberty Bank Building and expanding its Georgetown-based roastery.

Groundbreaking Monorail Espresso should be on the radar for any coffee devotee. While Monorail Espresso has since transitioned to a walk-up window at Fifth Avenue and Pike Street (plus several other locations nearby), its original incarnation is credited with being the world’s first espresso cart. How’s this for a backstory? Kent Bakke and John Blackwell, of La Marzocco fame, built it with parts from a Boeing surplus shuttle cart for a guy called Cappuccino Craig; Chuck and Susie Beek bought the cart and parked it by the Monorail entrance in 1980. At any time, you’ll find a steady flow of business suits, tourists, and bike messengers eager for a pick-me-up.

First Hill charmer Tougo rocks sourdough bread and other baked goods as well as lovingly pulled espresso and other tantalizing caffeinated beverages. Don’t miss signature treats like a salted caramel mocha, Lavender Good Good, or Honey Goat Latte.

Now operating shops across the country in addition to this Pioneer Square spot and several others in the area, well-respected Caffè Umbria has a history of coffee-making that goes back decades, originating in a roastery in Perugia, Italy. The blends are fantastic, incorporating more than 15 varietals of coffee, and the espresso is some of the best around.

Hood Famous is a hip cafe and bakery in the Chinatown-International District built on the success of chef and co-owner Chera Amlag’s delectable Filipino treats, including a famed bright-purple ube cheesecake. On the coffee side, the pandan lattes and iced calamansi espresso tonics are distinctly Filipino takes on specialty coffee drinks. (The shop’s nighttime cocktail bar, which serves pulutan, or Filipino bar food, is currently closed.)

Beacon Hill’s coffee shop by the light rail station has long been vocal and active about social justice causes. In addition to excellent coffee drinks, The Station hosts pop-ups and food drives, and is a hub for community organizing. The shop is a lively and welcoming neighborhood gathering place where you can sip on a Mexican Mocha or hot chocolate and enjoy an excellent sandwich.

Ultra-minimalist, low on seating, and WiFi-free, West Seattle’s Sound and Fog features beans from a variety of roasters across the country, with Portland’s acclaimed Heart Roasters prominent in the lineup. Seasonal drinks like espresso soda, nitro and regular cold brew on tap, and rotating beer and wine selections round out the impressive beverage options. The shop also offers some coffee and wine subscriptions and a noteworthy chocolate selection.

Columbia City’s beloved Empire Roasters and Records is known for excellent seasonal latte art, so every frothy cup — from sweet matcha to lavender to cayenne — ought to hold something Instagram-worthy. The popular house-made cashew milk sells out fast, so owner Ian Peters often has to whip up extra batches throughout the day. Snacks include crispy waffles (including vegan and gluten-free versions), and since the pandemic, the upstairs has transformed into a vinyl record shop.

Longtime Rainier Valley Ethiopian favorite Kaffa is more of a full-fledged restaurant than a cafe, but its single-origin roasts have incredible depth, best paired with any of the wonderful wots or fuls. Even though the pandemic necessarily limited in-person interaction, Kaffa will perform the immersive Ethiopian coffee ceremony upon request (if scheduled far enough in advance), an exceptional way to experience coffee culture from the country where it originated.

Resistencia Coffee is a hub for the South Park Latinx community. Art from local artists hangs on the walls, pop-up events with local food vendors occur frequently, and the shop even hosts an open-mic night every month. The Xingona Latte, made with cinnamon, sugar, and a pinch of cayenne, is a good bet.

Moonshot, a small, takeout-only cafe in White Center, serves up a variety of fantastic seasonal lattes and other flavored drinks, including the decadent Mocha Arbol, made with an infusion of chile de arbol, panela, cinnamon, and Theo dark chocolate. The vibe is welcoming and the baristas are helpful. The shop also sells a bunch of interesting beer and wine.