Best 10 Coffee Shops in Seattle

As one of the de-facto coffee capitals in the United States, Seattle provides a coffee haven for coffee buffs while giving the paradox of choice for more casual coffee drinkers and out-of-town visitors.

If you are visiting or simply looking for new Seattle coffee spots to try out, there’s a whole avalanche of lists detailing best coffee in Seattle on reddit and in periodicals, but sometimes it’s much more efficient to get more less-covered venues all in one place.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the best Seattle coffee shops that are currently operational.

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Seattle Coffee Works

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Owning multiple shops all over town—including one of the best coffee shops in Ballard and Capitol Hill—Seattle Coffee Works is perhaps one of the first natural choices for anyone looking to buy high-quality local coffee or Seattle coffee gear.

As per their policy of equitable trade, Seattle Coffee Works sources directly from independent farms all over the world, from Colombia and Ecuador to Ethiopia and Kenya. These coffee beans are what make the shop’s premium blends so unique.

One of the absolute favorite Seattle coffee brands among locals is the Seattle Space Blend used in the making of the shop’s double-shot espresso drinks, batch coffee and cold brews. The shop’s breakfast and lunch menus include waffle and bagel classics, sandwiches, wraps, and even rice bowls.

In addition to the in-house espresso and pour-overs, Seattle Coffee Works shops offer a selection of non-caf drinks and a slow bar menu with specialty coffee made with Aeropress, Chemex, French press, or vacuum pot. All drinks are available with soy, rice, breve, and hemp milk alternatives.

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Victrola Coffee Roasters

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With over 20 years of coffee experience, Victrola Coffee Roasters have perfected their meticulous process of whole bean selection, in-house roasting, and high-quality brewing techniques to satisfy customers visiting Vitrola’s many Seattle locations. 

Architecturally, Victrola Coffee stays with their 20s theme reflected in the shop’s very name, though the same goes for their retro interiors and product displays. As for the menu, Vitrola keeps its focus on roasting and servicing premium-grade single-origin coffee and blends by using a variety of brewing methods.

If you’re looking for elite single-origin espresso drinks or signature house brews and pour-overs, Vitrola is just the place for you. And if you’re a fan of kombucha, feel free to try out their daily “Mystic Kombucha” specials. Vitrola also makes for a good spot to have your breakfast or brunch since the shop stocks fresh pastry and desserts as well as quiche and savory sandwiches.

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Elm Coffee Roasters

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Available in two locations in South Seattle and downtown proper, Elm Coffee Roasters provides warm and cosy spaces for all your coffee needs, from espresso in-house and on-the-go to unique coffee and tea-based drinks.

One of the best coffee roasters in Seattle, Elm Coffee specializes in preparing single-origin espresso and classic coffee brews, though they also offer an extensive tea & chai menu, hot chocolate, and various ice coffee & tea alternatives.

Elm’s Coffee will be of particular use to working people and students on their class breaks. If you happen to visit one of the shops on your break, be sure to try out one of Elm’s delicious specials like Espresso Tonic, Coffee Ice Cream, or Shakerato.

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Cherry Street Coffee House

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With over 20 years of immaculate service behind them, Cherry Street Coffee House is a family-owned business boasting multiple locations all over Seattle, award-winning staff, and ethical approach to the sourcing and preparation of ingredients.

All Cherry Street coffee shops offer impressive drink menus, featuring hot & iced coffee and tea beverages, cold brews and blended non-caf specials. Breakfast and lunch sandwich menus are available all day, while the shop’s special menu entry, Persian rice bowls, is served with seasonal ingredients.

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Moore Coffee

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With two currently operational venues in Seattle and one in Burien, Moore Coffee Shop works towards providing quality coffee to visitors and locals alike, both delivering their products and serving in-house.

Whereas Moore’s original shop on the 2nd Avenue is widely-known and loved for their deliciously fresh breakfast waffles, Moore’s Stewart store, located around the corner from the original, is ideal for coffee-drinkers on the go who might feel like a quick snack and a cup of brew during a break. 

Moore’s sweet and savory waffles are not the only food items on the menu: the shop also makes sandwiches with a variety of classic novelty flavors as well as serves small plates for breakfast and lunch.

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Сloud Сity Сoffee

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Cloud City Coffee is one of the more relaxed lowkey venues that work with premium coffee blends and single-origin beans, all roasted locally. The coffee shop’s drink menu features all major expresso-based favorites as well as smoothies, chocolate and tea beverages.

As for food, early to mid-morning options include breakfast burritos and sandwiches as well as coconut bread and quiche, though quiche assortment varies daily.

The cafe’s lunch menu is a bit more extensive with its impressive range of savory sandwiches and wraps with side options of chips, coleslaw, or mixed greens.

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ZEITGEIST COFFEE

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Located near the famous Pioneer Square near Seatle city centre, Zeitgeist Coffee is a modern espresso bar & cafe with plenty of space to work, study, or relax on your lunch break. The shop’s bright open seating area, tall ceilings, and urban interior design create the much-needed sense of space in the middle of the crowded downtown.

Zeitgeist offers espresso and brewed coffee in-house and on-the-go made from beans that have undergone careful selection and roasting process. There’s also an abundance of breakfast snacks to satisfy even picky eaters, from light sandwiches to richer savory options as well as soups and salads. 

What makes Zeitgeist Coffee even more appealing is its regular collaborations with local artists. The shop makes use of its gallery space to display work collections and organize other creative showcases.

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Cafe Allegro

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For over 40 years, Cafe Allegro has been a staple in the University District of Seattle, making it one of the oldest espresso bars in town to offer the now-notorious Seattle roasts. All coffee is ethically sourced from small family-run farms and roasted in-house.

As an original espresso bar, Cafe Allegro specializes in espresso drinks but also offers expertly-made brewed coffee alternatives, tea drinks, and other non-caf beverages.

The shop’s Subdued retro exterior and warm interior space are enough to create a sense of homely comfort while you enjoy a cup of your favorite coffee with the pastry of your choosing.

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Ghost Alley Espresso

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One of the more intriguing coffee spots in town, this hideaway of a shop in Northwest Seattle not only works as a perfect place for taking a break from the daily grind but also serves artisanal roasts and pint-sized brews enough to satisfy even the most seasoned coffee lovers. Ghost Alley focuses on selling artisanal coffee beans and roasts as well as creating high-quality espresso and specialty drinks like applewood sea salt brew and turmeric mocha.

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FUEL COFFEE SEATTLE

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With three conveniently-situated locations, Fuel Coffee provides the best espresso and breakfast coffee shops in downtown Seattle for coffee drinkers who tend to need coffee on-the-go when the mornings are especially hectic.

In addition to classic coffee brews and espresso drinks, Fuel Coffee serves teas, soft drinks and light kid’s beverages as well as stocking retail coffee beans for single and bulk purchases.