If you have ever visited the beautiful and ever-busy city of Seattle, you will know that it’s packed full of fancy restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes.
In fact, when tallied up, Seattle has the second-highest number of coffee shops in America with a staggering 843, only being beaten out by San Francisco. It is no wonder Starbucks started here.
Whale this does offer a tremendous amount of variety and plenty of places where you can take time out from your busy schedule and enjoy a warm cup of coffee or maybe a fresh snack, it can also make it hard to know precisely which coffee and cafe spots are the most worthwhile to visit.
To make this easier, here are 15 essential Seattle coffee shops that you need to try out today whether you’re just visiting, or if you live in the area and just want to find a few new places to hang out.
1. Analog
While many newer coffee shops and cafes will try to look as modern as they can in order to appeal to younger generations, there’s nothing wrong with kicking it back to a more traditional setting, which is exactly what Analog does.
With its retro-styled newspaper clippings hung up all over the walls and record players and vinyls stacked up on the outside tables of the interior, Analog serves some delicious beverages sourced straight from local Herkimer Coffee, and look’s stylish while doing it.
Address: 235 Summit Avenue, Seattle, WA 98102 (click for map)
2. Caffe Ladro
Serving up a mixture of delightful sandwiches and croissants along with some incredibly unique coffee recipes you won’t find anywhere else, Caffee Ladro located on Queen Anne Avenue is a cute little cafe that first opened its doors in the 1990s, but has gone on to become well known all over Seattle.
With free Wi-Fi in each of its 18 shops dotted around Seattle and with some amazing coffee mixtures such as the slightly tangy but delicious Yankee Dog, you can be sure a Caffee Ladro won’t be far from wherever you are in Seattle.
Address: 2205 Queen Anne Ave, Seattle, WA 98109 (click for map)
3. Preserve and Gather
Located in Greenwood Seattle, while Preserve and Gather offer a good selection of warm and comforting coffee choices, they are also very well known for their downright scrumptious treats.
Whether you’re in the mood for a warm and tasty homemade pastry, or if you like the creamy sensation of yogurt or maybe even some ham and jam biscuits, the options are essentially endless when it comes to Preserve and Gather, not to mention the incredibly modern and spacious interior of the cafe itself giving it a warm and cozy atmosphere to enjoy your coffee in.
Address: 358 NW 85th St, Seattle, WA 98117 (click for map)
4. Sound and Fog
Sound and Fog, located in the heart of Seattle, is a popular spot for coffee lovers. With its minimalistic decor and cozy atmosphere, it has become one of the best cafes and coffee shops in the area.
The shop is known for its wide range of coffee options, including its acclaimed spiced espressos, and its knowledgeable and friendly staff is always happy to make recommendations based on your preferences.
Additionally, they offer a huge selection of seasonal drinks, such as brew on tap and espresso soda, which are perfect to relax after a hard day’s work.
Address: 4735 40th Avenue SQ, Seattle, WA 98116 (click for map)
5. Seattle Coffee Works
Classy, stylish, and instantly recognizable for its illuminated LED sign that stands outside every shop. It is set in the heart of the Pike Place Market district.
Seattle Coffee Works gives the customer the tools to make their own unique coffee just the way they like while offering some amazing options such as the Award Winning Seattle Space blend, definitely, a shop to check out when you want to learn more about brewing while making your own unique drink.
Address: 108 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101 (click for map)
6. Fulcrum Cafe
Fulcrum Cafe boasts three distinct coffee brands: Fulcrum, Silver Cup, and Urban City, each offering a unique flavor profile. The cafe’s cozy and inviting interior creates a warm atmosphere for visitors.
Fulcrum Cafe offers a variety of delectable food options, including pastries and cakes, to pair perfectly with your coffee of choice.
Whether you’re seeking a traditional or more unconventional coffee experience, Fulcrum Cafe has something to satisfy your taste buds.
Address: 590 Bell Street, Seattle, WA 98121 (click for map)
7. Cafe Alegro
A small cafe that many coffee enthusiasts consider a bit of a hidden gem within the Seattle area, Cafe Alegro offers both original espresso blends, along with many small batches of premium coffees and a huge variety of baked treats to snack on.
With an incredibly vibrant and friendly atmosphere in each shop, it’s also a great place to sit back with some friends, or to relax while on a quick break from work.
Address: Alleyway, 4214 University Way, Seattle, WA 98105 (click for map)
8. Mr.West Cafe Bar
With some beautiful plants and ornaments dotted around the shops to give it an extremely vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, the Mr.West Cafe Bar is a coffee shop you would go to just to take a snapshot of, but end up staying for their delicious selection of drinks.
With the fantastic matcha latte and the Seattle Fog being just two of the amazing drink options that you can sip on, the Mr. West Cafe Bar is always a great bar to visit when you’re exploring.
Address: 720 Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98101 (click for map)
9. Fonte Coffee Roaster
This European-themed cafe offers a diverse range of food and drink options, including warm breakfast pastries, baguettes, and the popular Turkish latte.
Fonté Coffee Roaster offers single-origin and signature blend coffee options. All coffee is hand roasted to achieve the fullest flavor profile and expression.
Single-origin coffees highlight the unique attributes of a growing region, while signature blends are created through a meticulous process of observation and cupping by a master roaster.
Fonté Cafe offers a unique and satisfying experience and is perfect for when you can’t decide what you want to eat or drink, but you know you want something delicious.
Address: 1321 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101 (click for map)
10. Zoka Coffee Roaster and Tea Company
The term “Zoka” means “rebirth of the coffee tree” in Colombia. Zoka Coffee Roaster and Tea Company is a Seattle-based cafe that has been serving the community since 1997 with freshly roasted coffee, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Zoka practices family-direct trade, which involves buying single-origin coffees directly from farmers.
This cafe is the perfect place to have an unforgettable coffee experience as it provides a huge variety of both classic and premium coffee blends, along with a wide selection of flavors including citrus and even chocolate.
Address: 2200 N 56th Street, Seattle, WA 98103 (click for map)
11. Elm Coffee Roasters
Alongside having single-origin coffee beans in a variety of flavors and styles, Elm Coffee Roasters is also well known in the Seattle area for its incredibly welcoming atmosphere which makes it a fantastic place to hang out, even if you aren’t buying a drink.
With that being said, you definitely should pick up a tasty beverage while you’re there with the signature One and One (black coffee and espresso) being a delicious menu option we would definitely recommend.
Address: 240 2nd Ave Street, Seattle, WA 98104 (click for map)
12. Poindexter Coffee
Being the only coffee shop in Seattle to score beans from Tartine Bakery’s Coffee Manufactory, there’s a very distinct sweet taste to Poindexter Coffee’s menu options that is so delicious, you can guarantee you’ll be visiting again after you take that first sip.
With each shop also selling a selection of delightful wines, both from local growers and from Europe and Australia, it’s very easy to step into this shop in the morning without even realizing that the evening has already rolled around.
Address: 4507 Brooklyn Avenue, Seattle, WA 98105 (click for map)
13. Caffe D’arte
While it may be one of the older and more traditional-looking coffee shops in Seattle, opening its doors to the public in 1985, this is not to suggest that Caffe D’arte lacks behind its competitors in terms of its coffee.
In fact, their nitro wood-roasted brew and stovetop espresso are some of the most unique and delicious coffee blends out there, perfect when paired with one of their warm and delightful croissants or a jam sandwich.
Address: 33926 9th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003 (click for map)
14. Hood Famous Cafe and Bar
This Filipino-themed cafe and coffee shop is a true gem in the world of coffee shops, offering not only an excellent selection of unique coffee brands but also a warm and inviting atmosphere that sets it apart.
Located in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, Hood Famous Cafe and Bar is inspired by Filipino culture and offers a range of Filipino-inspired baked goods and desserts alongside its coffee offerings such as their signature pandan lattes and iced calamansi espresso tonics which hail from the Philippines and have a very distinct and delicious cool flavor.
With its warm and friendly atmosphere, Hood Famous Cafe and Bar is a must-visit for all coffee enthusiasts.
Address: 504 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 (click for map)
15. Tougo Coffee
It’s hard to wonder exactly how Tougo Coffee packs so many flavors into a single drink, whether it’s the Honey Goat Latte or the Lavender Good Good, with such a wide variety of vibrant and exciting options on the menu to choose from, Tougo Coffee offers a fantastic switch up from the norm, not to mention offering some incredible sourdough bread and other appetizing snacks to enjoy along with your flavorful beverage.
Address: 860 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98104 (click for map)
Summary
Whether you’re planning on visiting the expansive and vibrant city of Seattle, or if you already live in or near the area and just want to expand your horizons, with a coffee shop and cafe dotted around each and every corner, it’s never too late to try out some new ones.
Check out a few of the most delightful coffee shops Seattle has to offer to enjoy some warm and delicious beverages and snacks with your friends when it’s time to kick back and relax, who knows, you might even find your new favorite hangout spot.
So next time you get your phone out to search for coffee near me in Seattle, just head to this page instead.
Check out the best coffee shops in Washington State in the other places we cover in the state.
What to see in Seattle
My name is Dana Dupree and I am an avid coffee lover. Since I began college and realized what a heavy load writing majors took on, I have been a fan of the bean juice.
My job has taken me all over the US on book tours and press conferences, and my favorite part about the trip is exploring the best places to grab my cup of Joe.
