Where to Drink Coffee in Seattle
My top five picks in the coffee capital.
The rumors are true… Seattle, Washington’s coffee scene is outstanding. This city knows its java. There are over 800 coffee shops within the city, and most are independent: that’s a lot of choices! Luckily I’ve spent many hours caffeinating in Seattle, and I’ve narrowed down the five best shops.
Milstead & Co.
In a city that is positively drowning in specialty coffee, one cafe stands out among all others. Milstead & Co. is a multi-roaster cafe serving a meticulously curated selection of single origin coffees from small roasters on the West Coast. The owner has exceedingly high standards and a passion for sharing exceptional coffee roasters with Seattle: the combination is an ever-changing list of brews that cannot disappoint. Go in on any day of the week and try whatever the baristas suggest. It will be good. On that note, the baristas here are the friendliest in the city. If you want to chat with the person who is making your coffee, this is the place to be.
Milstead & Co. sits in the heart of one of Seattle’s funkiest neighborhoods, Fremont. It’s tucked under the Aurora Bridge just a block away from the famous Fremont Troll. The space is bright and open with plenty of seating; the location is close to several bus lines and within walking distance to many important sights; plus, there’s a large patio!
Anchorhead
It is rare to find an over-the-top photogenic cafe with coffee to write home about. Anchorhead is the place. It is a mood— the owners have clearly invested a lot of resources into building a beautiful brand and cafe space— but they never lost sight of the quality of their coffee. They roast their own coffees. You will find an excellent selection of single origins and blends, but their signature lattes aren’t to be missed either. They bake their own yummy pastries too. Basically, you’ll have to order at least two drinks and several pastries here!
Anchorhead has three locations around the city; they’re all instagrammable. Whether you’re in Pike Place Market, downtown, or Capital Hill, you can find a cozy, moody spot at an Anchorhead to snag a delicious treat and soak up the Seattle aesthetic.
Elm Coffee Roasters
As the name suggests, Elm roasts their own coffee. Their ever-changing selection of single origin coffees are always perfectly roasted and interesting. Furthermore, the baristas know how to brew the coffee well! Every single time I’ve been to Elm the coffee is dialed in.
Located in the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood at the south end of downtown, this is an excellent shop for taking a break from a day of exploring the city. The atmosphere of the old building screams historic Seattle and creates a perfectly cozy environment for a coffee roaster. Snag one of the bright window seats and watch the people pass by outside.
General Porpoise
The fact that an artisanal doughnut shop has made the list of best coffee in Seattle speaks to level of passion this city has for its food and coffee. General Porpoise is a donut shop, a creative donut shop that uses high-end ingredients and pushes the envelope when it comes to flavors, but a donut shop nonetheless. Their coffee program is impeccable. They are a multi-roaster shop, serving coffee from some of the best roasters across the country. Pair that Vanilla Custard doughnut with a pour-over, and you are in for a treat!
GP has three locations, but I’m partial to their original in Capital Hill. It is decorated so beautifully with white marble, touches of neon pink, and an oil painting of the General Porpoise himself. You’ll almost be as delighted by your surroundings as you are by the donuts and coffee.
Espresso Vivace
There is a bygone era of the Seattle coffee world, often spoken of with fond nostalgia by those who were lucky enough to experience it. This was the era before Seattle was taken over by tech giants, the era of grunge, the era of Northern Italian style coffee. The era was the 90s. You almost cannot experience even a taste of this classic Seattle coffee scene anymore… except at Espresso Vivace. They have stayed true to their craft for over thirty years, and it is excellent, a true taste of the golden age of Seattle coffee. Order a caffe nico: it’s a perfect creamy four oz. creation with cinnamon, fresh orange zest, and their signature espresso.
Vivace’s original shop was sadly a casualty to the constant Seattle construction, but they survived, moved a few blocks down, and took their old school decor with them. Step inside, and you’ll be transported to that beloved bygone era. You’ll find Espresso Vivace in Capital Hill, a central location close to so many of the city’s best shops and restaurants.
What do you think? Seattle coffee lovers, let me know your favorite shops! There are so many amazing ones to choose from.
