Home to Starbucks, Seattle's Best Coffee, and Tully's, most visitors and Seattle transplants (yes I was guilty of this at one time) believe that it's the major players that drive the coffee scene, but that is far from the truth. I mean how could we convince the hipsters to stay if we didn't have obscure, independent, mom n' pop coffee shops that no one has ever heard of?
My husband was a barista for a number of years and we have a bit of a love affair with coffee and quite literally in coffee shops. We had our first date and got engaged while sipping coffee. I've tried my fair share of excellent coffee and since I work from home I spend at least one or two days a week exploring different coffee shops to get a change of scenery.
I've made a list of favorite coffee shops around Seattle. Whether you're on the go, settling in to work for a few hours, or catching up with a friend, each of these places has something great to offer any coffee lover. I'm taking several things into consideration but mainly the quality of the coffee, ambiance, workability, and customer service.
1. Cafe Fiore
This organic, French-inspired coffee shop is so charming. They ensure that their beans come from organic farms and they roast them to perfection. Their vibe and decor is one of my favorites.
The seating is not very comfortable, but it's a small price to pay for the ambiance. The Ballard location is convenient, but I actually prefer the Queen Anne spot. It's tucked away on top of Queen Anne hill and I really like the set up. There are a few more seating options there, so it's usually my coffee shop of choice when I am trying to decide where I want to hunker down and work for a few hours.
I've had mixed experiences with the staff. Generally the baristas there are really friendly, but I've had a few not-so-great interactions, which of course could just be chalked up to a bad day.
2. Storyville Coffee Company
I've had several friends work at different Storyville locations at various times and so this particular coffee shop feels like home to me. It also helps that they have amazingly comfortable chairs and couches with a roaring fire to keep warm on those cold winter days. They have several locations around the city now. I usually frequent the Queen Anne store because it's closer, but the original location in Pike's Place market is pretty fantastic.
The owner and founder is a friend of a friend so I know that as a company they value community and craftsmanship. Their tagline is "Love everybody. Never hurt anybody." Who can argue with that?
The staff is always phenomenal. I've never gone there without being greeted with a smile and baristas almost always personally clear my table and offer me a glass of water. Their customer care is unprecedented and they make an incredible cup of jo. I can vouch for their quality beans too because my husband works with the head roasters wife. :)
3. Espresso Vivace
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With a few different locations around town, this great spot also roasts their own beans that they import from Italy. My favorite shop is in South Lake Union right across the street from REI. Their lattes are delicious and they have a pretty varied menu from tea to hot chocolate along with some pretty tasty pastries.
My favorite feature of the SLU location is the little nook in the back of the shop. If you want a break from the noise you can close the door behind you. I always take my car into a shop that's close by just so that I can have an excuse to spend a few hours reading and sipping my latte at this popular spot.
The staff is always friendly, though they are almost always swamped when I visit, so there's not much time for chit chat.
4. Zoka Coffee Roaster and Tea Company
This place will always hold a special place in my heart because it is where my husband asked me to be his girlfriend. This local roaster has been my husband's favorite coffee shop for a number of years. Several retailers around the city sell their beans, so you can grab a bag to take home even if you can't make it in to the shop.
I've only ever been to the Tangletown location, but I haven't felt like I need to branch out because it's so cool. The space is pretty big and the baristas are always really friendly. It's usually packed out with people working and hanging out when I go. The only downside is not being able to find a spot near an outlet if you need to bust out your laptop.
5. Cafe Umbria
This is a relatively new spot for me. Their original location in Pioneer square has been around for a while now, but I just discovered this lovely place when they opened a Ballard location just down the street from where JD works. The bar and decor is super chic and their dishes are adorable.
They always include a small piece of chocolate with your drink which is a win and I've always really appreciated the friendliness of the staff. I just discovered my favorite new pastry there too: the raspberry croissant. So heavenly. You will definitely want to stop in here if you are in Ballard.
I can't forget a couple of honorable mentions: The Anchored Ship is a relatively new spot on Old Ballard Ave that I have really been loving lately. It's a small shop but they have great coffee and a sweet little loft that I like to escape to every now and then.
Chocolati was my roommate's favorite place to flee to during finals week. Their speciality is chocolate, but they serve great coffee too, and this place might take the cake when it comes to working spaces. The Wallingford location has a huge loft with chairs lining the windows that look out over the busy street below. It's the perfect late night date spot if you want something sweet to sip in a romantic setting.
What are your favorite Seattle coffee shops for work or play?
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