If you have ever visited the beautiful and ever-busy city of Seattle, you will know it’s packed with fancy restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes.
When tallied up, Seattle has the second-highest number of coffee shops in America, with a staggering 843, and only San Francisco has it beaten. 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.
Best Seattle Coffee Shops
To make this easier, here are 15 essential Seattle coffee shops you need to try out today, whether you’re just visiting or living in the area and 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 possible to appeal to younger generations, there’s nothing wrong with returning to a more traditional setting, which is exactly what Analog does.
With its retro-styled newspaper clippings hung all over the walls and record players and vinyl stacked on the outside tables of the interior, Analog serves delicious beverages sourced straight from local Herkimer Coffee and looks stylish while doing it.
- Address: 235 Summit Avenue, Seattle, WA 98102 (click for map)
- Website: analogcoffee.com
2. Caffe Ladro
Serving a variety 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 some amazing coffee mixtures, such as the slightly tangy but delicious Yankee Dog, you can be sure a Caffee Ladro is near you.
- Address: 2205 Queen Anne Ave, Seattle, WA 98109 (click for map)
- Website: caffeladro.com
3. Preserve and Gather
Located in Greenwood, Seattle, Preserve and Gather offers 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, giving it a warm and cozy atmosphere to enjoy your coffee.
- Address: 358 NW 85th St, Seattle, WA 98117 (click for map)
- Website: preserveandgather.com
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 area’s best cafes and coffee shops.
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 vast selection of seasonal drinks, such as brew on tap and espresso soda, perfect for relaxing after a hard day’s work.
- Address: 4735 40th Avenue SQ, Seattle, WA 98116 (click for map)
- Website: soundandfog.com
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 customers 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. It’s 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)
- Website: seattlecoffeeworks.com
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)
- Website: fulcrumcoffee.com
7. Cafe Alegro
A small cafe that many coffee enthusiasts consider a hidden gem within the Seattle area, Cafe Alegro offers original espresso blends, many small batches of premium coffees and a wide 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 friends or relax on a quick break from work.
- Address: Alleyway, 4214 University Way, Seattle, WA 98105 (click for map)
- Website: seattleallegro.com
8. Mr.West Cafe Bar
With beautiful plants and ornaments dotted around the shops to give it an extraordinarily vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, the Mr.West Cafe Bar is a coffee shop you would go to to take a snapshot of but end up staying for its delicious selection of drinks.
With the fantastic matcha latte and the Seattle Fog being just two of the unique drink options you can sip on, the Mr. West Cafe Bar is always a great place to visit when you’re exploring.
- Address: 720 Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98101 (click for map)
- Website: mrwestcafebar.com
9. Fonte Coffee Roaster
This European-themed cafe offers diverse food and drink options, including warm breakfast pastries, baguettes, and the famous 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. It is perfect for when you can’t decide what to eat or drink but know you want something delicious.
- Address: 1321 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101 (click for map)
- Website: fontecafe.com
10. Zoka Coffee Roaster and Tea Company
“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. It provides a huge variety of classic and premium coffee blends, along with a selection of flavors, including citrus and even chocolate.
- Address: 2200 N 56th Street, Seattle, WA 98103 (click for map)
- Website: zokacoffee.com
11. Elm Coffee Roasters
Alongside having single-origin coffee beans in various flavors and styles, Elm Coffee Roasters is also well known in the Seattle area for its incredibly welcoming atmosphere, making it a fantastic place to hang out, even if you aren’t buying a drink.
That said, you should definitely pick up a tasty beverage while you’re there. We recommend the signature One and One (black coffee and espresso), a delicious menu option.
- Address: 240 2nd Ave Street, Seattle, WA 98104 (click for map)
- Website: elmcoffeeroasters.com
12. Poindexter Coffee
Poindexter Coffee is the only coffee shop in Seattle to score beans from Tartine Bakery’s Coffee Manufactory. Its menu options have a distinct sweet taste that is so delicious that you can guarantee you’ll be visiting again after you take that first sip.
Each shop also sells 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 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)
- Website: caffedarte.com
14. Hood Famous Cafe and Bar
This Filipino-themed cafe and coffee shop is a true gem in the world of coffee shops. It offers 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 its 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)
- Website: hoodfamousbakeshop.com
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, Tougo Coffee offers a fantastic switch 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)
- Website: tougocoffee.com
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 want to expand your horizons, with a coffee shop and cafe dotted around every corner, it’s never too late to try some new ones.
Check out a few of the most delightful coffee shops Seattle offers to enjoy warm and delicious beverages and snacks with your friends when it’s time to kick back and relax; 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, head to this page instead.
Check out the best coffee shops in Washington State in the other places we cover in the state.
Be sure to take advantage of the chance to explore our wide range of coffee shops in Bellingham, and Spokane.