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courtesy Pegasus Coffee House

Coffee With a View

Maybe you’re the type who enjoys strolling through greenery with your morning latte. Or perhaps you’re partial to catching a glimpse of the surrounding mountains while you jump-start your day sipping a creamy cold brew. If you’re partial to exploring the city with an espresso drink in hand, try these six terrific cafes located steps from beautiful natural scenery.

At sleek and airy West Seattle Grounds (2141 California Ave SW) order a caramel-banana latte and then meander several blocks up tree-lined California Avenue to Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California Way SW; seattle.gov/parks). From this bluff above Elliott Bay, take in views across the water of the downtown skyline.

Pick up a rich cold brew at friendly Queen Anne Coffee Co. (1811 Queen Anne Ave N), with its inviting landscaped patio. You’ll find the best views by taking a leisurely 10-minute walk through this neighborhood of beautiful, historic homes to Kerry Park (211 W Highland Dr), with its iconic vista of the Space Needle and downtown skyscrapers.

Homey Arosa Cafe (3121 E Madison St), in the dapper Madison Valley neighborhood, is helmed by gregarious Venezuelan-born barista Cesar Santangelo and is beloved for arepas and waffles as well as the Latin-inflected cafe bombom with sweetened condensed milk. A block away, you can access miles of verdant trails that traverse Washington Park Arboretum (2300 Arboretum Dr E).

A man and woman stand outside Pegasus Coffee, a brick building adorned with lush green ivy. They hold drinks and engage in conversation. A bicycle is parked nearby, and fallen leaves scatter the sidewalk. A sign reads, "Cold Brew Made Just Right".

courtesy Pegasus Coffee House

Set in a rambling 1930s building a short ferry ride away from Seattle on glorious Bainbridge Island, Pegasus Coffee House (131 Parfitt Way SW) is an inviting spot for a well-crafted macchiato, which you can savor while admiring the sailboats along scenic Winslow Wharf Marina (141 Parfitt Way SW).

Steps from Pike Place Market, drop by stylish Anchorhead Coffee (2003 Western Ave) for a delicious pistachio-matcha latte to sip on as you explore exciting attractions, piers, and green spaces along the beautifully redesigned Waterfront (Alaskan Way).

Treat yourself to the smoked-chocolate Campfire Mocha at Caffe Vita (5028 Wilson Ave S) before setting out on a brisk hike amid the pine-shaded hills and lakefront paths of Seward Park (5900 Lake Washington Blvd S), with its grand views of Mount Rainier.

This article was originally written for Visit Seattle's Official Visitors' Guide

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