In Seattle, coffee is king. From a Starbucks palace to local microroasters, here’s where to sip some of the best brews in town and satisfy your caffeine fix.
Milstead & Co. | Olivia Brent
Milstead & Co.
One of the central hubs for local coffee nerds, Milstead & Co. operates as a multiroaster, meaning the diverse, rotating coffee menu includes beans from local roasters and others all over the country. Drop in for a bright and juicy Ethiopian espresso, taste the difference of coffee brewed with an Aeropress, and walk away with some single-origin beans to brew back home.
770 N 34th St; milsteadandco.com
Monorail Espresso | Erika Kim
Monorail Espresso
The walk-up coffee stand is a quintessential Seattle site. And there is none older—or more famous—than Monorail Espresso, named for its original location back in 1980. Now located near Pacific Place, Westlake Center, and Nordstrom, the pedestrian-friendly setup remains a popular pit stop for morning commuters, shoppers, and out-of-towners jonesing for a quick, classic cup of joe.
510 Pike St; monorailespresso.com
Caffe Vita
With six Seattle locations, Caffe Vita is one of the city’s most recognizable chains: just look for the black-and-white masked Punchinello. Vita roasts its selection of coffees, like the full-bodied Caffe Del Sol espresso blend, right in the heart of Capitol Hill. Try a refreshing cold brew, or order a creamy macchiato to cozy up with in winter.
1005 E Pike St; caffevita.com
Starbucks Reserve Roastery | courtesy Starbcusks
Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room
This gilded counterpart to the low-key original Starbucks in Pike Place Market boasts some serious opulence. See how the small-batch Reserve line of coffees are made, from the imported bags of green coffee beans to an expertly poured latte at the espresso bar. The signature copper silos—beautiful roasting and brewing equipment—are all run by the company’s best baristas and make this coffee haven a necessary stop.
1124 Pike St; roastery.starbucks.com
Elm Coffee Roasters
One of the newer additions to the microroaster scene, Elm strives to move the coffee shop experience from the cozy cafe to more of a craft coffee bar. Pull up a stool at the counter, and try an espresso tonic followed by a fresh brew, all roasted on site. With its beautiful, minimalistic wood and marble interior in the Pioneer Square neighborhood, Elm’s popularity with coffee connoisseurs continues to grow.
240 Second Ave S, Ste 103; elmcoffeeroasters.com
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