In the spirit of supporting our neighborhood cafes, we’ve curated a robust selection of those we truly love. Our criteria—besides serving great coffee, of course—were to include only local shops with no more than two storefronts, and those that offer something unique, from high-tech techniques to amazing local art. While there’s no way we can cover every cafe in Seattle, we hope you enjoy these 15 favorites, which span many neighborhoods—from Pioneer Square and Ballard to Columbia City and Fremont and many more.
Ada’s Technical Books and Cafe
Ada’s Technical Books wide-open spaces. Photo by Morgen Schuler
A beautifully hip space for nerds, complete with walls of tech, programming, and sci-fi books, puzzles, and games. The architecture is open and spacious, with shadow-box tables featuring items like rock collections and old compasses. There’s also a back room for focusing on your daily hack-a-thon.
The coffee menu features Kuma roasts and a line of housemade syrups. It’s evolving to become more innovative using the latest techniques and technology in brewing. The rose iced tea is also not to be missed.
Coming soon: a co-working space with desks available for $20/day. 425 15th Ave. E., 322-1058, seattletechnicalbooks.com
AnalogDon’t come here expecting amazing sandwiches, baked goods, or smoothies. Analog’s focus is on simplicity; it makes its bones via high-quality coffee served by friendly, knowledgeable baristas using precise manual brewing techniques: a 15-hour cold-brew repeatedly filtered to achieve the correct balance of acidity, then served from a keg.
For three years, Analog has served its neighborhood clientele, comprising predominantly students, tech workers, and food-service folks, and offers some excellent single brews and pour-overs using Herkimer Coffee beans (all from small pesticide- and fertilizer-free farms). The interior is classic Seattle neighborhood architecture—concrete counters and exposed ductwork, with the bar, front and center, creating a highly interactive experience.
Cool factor: Vinyl is always spinning on the turntable.
235 Summit Ave. E., 678-7443, analogcoffee.com
Anchored ShipNamed to match Ballard’s nautical roots, the Anchored Ship is the lone local provider of beans from North Carolina-based Counter Culture, featuring hard-to-find single-origin coffees from around the world. Located in old-town Ballard, this hidden cafe has no sign, but is well known by locals and food-service folks alike.
The space itself is a tribute to Old World European cafes’ use of funky architecture, including a quirky “quarterdeck” hideaway. If you’re in the mood for something different, try the lavender chai, made locally by One Jasmine Chai of Ballard.
Coming in October: Monthly rotating coffee cocktails served until late night! 5306 Ballard Ave. N.W., 484-5143
Bird on a Wire EspressoA tiny cafe serving the neighborhood for more than 13 years, Bird on a Wire takes pride in its community ties and knowing most customers on a first-name basis. Walking inside is like traveling back to your grandma’s 1950s kitchen, converted into a cafe for all of us to enjoy.
They make all their own extracts and pastries, and specialties include the Cold Brew Toddy (a 13-hour slow brew) and the Nutella latte. Also try the house blend, the Three Peckered Billy Goat, roasted by Raven’s Brew. And check out their sister cafe, Admiral Bird, also in West Seattle.
Tip: Stop in for their delicious fall soups. 3509 S.W. Henderson St., 932-1143, facebook.com/birdonawireespresso
Cafe AllegroLocated in a former mortuary on an alley just off the Ave., Cafe Allegro has been serving students, artists, professors, and locals for nearly 40 years. The brick walls, adorned with local art, and multiple seating areas provide refuge for those who want to hide for a while with a hot cup of coffee.
Baristas do their job well, but don’t expect lots of chipper smiles. It’s all business here in this Seattle landmark that was allegedly the basis for the original Starbucks coffeehouses.
Coming soon: New balcony seating areas and Allegro’s own house-roasted beans. 4214 University Way N.E., 633-3030, seattleallegro.com
Empire EspressoEmpire specializes in sweet single-origin coffees which change frequently, and they pull very short ristretto-style shots, reducing bitterness and enhancing the bolder flavors of the beans. Much loved by locals, this cafe, tucked away off Rainier Avenue, serves the diverse community of Columbia City. The best outdoor seating in the neighborhood provides space to sip, work, and talk with friends while enjoying food from the tiny kitchen—which churns out impressive fare for its size, such as full breakfasts and panini with housemade sauces.
Espresso drinks and Aero or French press are the standards here, featuring Kuma beans. Empire also doubles as an affordable place to bring the family to watch the big game, and serves beer and wine to boot.
Tip: Don’t miss the weekend waffle bar! 3823 S. Edmunds St., 659-0588, empireespressobar.blogspot.com
Finn’s Bakery and CafeOwners Meghan and Anthony Hargreaves opened Finn’s in late 2012, following a dream and Meghan’s family’s history of running a Croatian bakery in Minnesota. They soon hired head baker Karen LoNardo, and have quickly become a neighborhood favorite for baked goods, soups, and coffee in a space that has hosted a bakery for more than 50 years.
The bakery menu changes frequently, with standards including Croatian pastries, Danish, and quiche as well as many other handmade treats. Stumptown coffee is served to complement the excellent fare, and espresso drinks are the feature in this spot worth making a trip to.
Get it while it’s hot: Every week more than 40 percent of the bakery selection changes.
3204 W. McGraw St., 406-7271, finnsbakery.com
Milstead
Milstead & Co. baristas Alicia Pugh and Connor McKay serving up Theo Chocolate Mochas. Photo by Morgen SchulerMilstead features beans from nine rotating sources picked for their flavor profiles. Tell your barista what you like and he or she will likely make a perfect match for you.
Plus, this uber-trendy cafe makes you feel cool the minute you walk inside. The focus is on coffee and the decor minimalist, with tiny art adorning the walls and a vintage fire truck on the patio outside. It’s the place to be for a cup of joe in Fremont, and is often packed with locals, out-of-towners, coffee nerds, and high-tech workers from the likes of Tableau and Google.
Tip: Try the mocha made with 85 percent dark chocolate from Fremont’s own Theo. 770 N. 34th St., 659-4814, milsteadandco.com
Neptune CoffeeHusband-and-wife team Christine Esparolini and Balthazar Soto created Neptune to focus on changing people’s minds about how coffee should taste when brewed properly. Serving both neighborhood locals and “coffee tourists” in the heart of Greenwood, the coffee program emphasizes espresso-based drinks and pour-overs.
Talented baristas often give presentations on brewing techniques within the cafe’s sleek, dark-hardwood-lined interior. Neptune also features coffees from local roasters, including Kuma and Velton’s, with rotating specialty offerings such as George Howell from Massachusetts, Spy House out of Minneapolis, and the elusive, high-end beans from Geisha.
Coffee-geek factor: Neptune is known to conduct barista “competitions” open to the public. 8415 Greenwood Ave. N., 599-8822, neptunecoffee.com
Seattle & Ballard Coffee WorksRoasting coffee in the back room at Seattle Coffee Works downtown. Photo by Morgen SchulerOwner Sebastian Simsch has created a must-drink experience for those who are passionate about their coffee. The downtown spot sports an express bar for grab-and-go drinks as well as a “slow” bar for sampling varietal coffees and different extraction methods. They roast their own beans here, predominantly sourced from Central America and East Africa, and are nationally recognized for their diverse lineup.
Tip: Try the Obama Blend to bring out the Democrat in you.
107 Pike St., 623-1591; 2060 N.W. Market St., 340-8867, seattlecoffeeworks.com
Slate Coffee BarSlate occupies a small, nondescript building on the edge of Ballard. It’s a coffee destination featuring high-tech brewing methods, with drinks often served in glassware. There’s no overhead menu and no line—you sit at the counter and talk about your drink with your friendly, talented barista.
Single-cup brewing and pour-overs are the standards. This is a place to learn about how good coffee can really be.
Tip: Try the Deconstructed Espresso + Milk, served as a flight. Three vessels are lined up: the first containing espresso neat, the second steamed milk from Pure Eire Dairy, the third espresso and milk combined. It’s delicious and beautiful. 5413 Sixth Ave. N.W., 701-4238, slatecoffee.com
Street Bean EspressoBaristas take great pride in their ability to create balanced drinks here, with a focus on espresso. They weigh their ingredients and use tools like refractometers to measure the levels of solids in water—it’s all high-tech. After serving Belltown for five years from its ultra-hip space adorned with reclaimed wooden tables and floors, over the past year it’s become more of a specialty cafe, and is serving lighter roasts from Kuma, Slate, and rotating guest roasters.
Community impact: Street Bean provides training programs and employment for homeless and street-involved youth. 2702 Third Ave., 708-6803, streetbeanespresso.org
Tin UmbrellaJoya Iverson and barista Becca Hines serving up joe at Tin Umbrella. Photo by Morgen Schuler
Joya Iverson left a marketing-strategy consulting career to open this lovely cafe in the heart of Hillman City, just south of Columbia City. Located in what was once an illegal gambling den, Tin Umbrella is now leading a revival of the neighborhood, which didn’t have a coffee shop until it opened.
It has become a community hub for neighbors and families to meet. House-roasted coffee is on offer (try the Chase Your Dreams blend with a unicorn on the label), as well as pastries from local independent bakers in the south end. A 24-hour cold-brew using single-origin Ethiopian Sidamo beans is a must-drink—you can even get it in growlers!
Coming soon: Local bicycle delivery! 5600 Rainier Ave. S., 743-8802, tinumbrella.com
Tougo Coffee Co.One of Seattle’s first “polyroaster” cafes has been focused on guest services and great variety for seven-plus years. Owner Brian Wells’ infectious personality can be felt throughout with friendly, talented baristas serving customers from the surrounding neighborhoods.
Tougo’s philosophy is to work with roasters who mirror its emphasis on fostering community relationships. Beans from Kuma, Heart, Ritual, Linnea, and Velton’s are all available here, and coffee is brewed using Mavea-filtered water to enhance quality.
Coming soon: Keep an eye out for Bannister, scheduled to open next door in October, which will feature an expanded food and drink menu. 1410 18th Ave., 860-3518, tougocoffee.com
ZeitgeistZeitgeist in Pioneer Square has a beautiful interior. Photo by Morgen SchulerA beautifully designed cafe oozing with Old World sophistication in the heart of Pioneer Square. Stepping into this cafe is like going back in time to prewar Berlin or Prague with its exposed brick, blonde woods, and unique handmade fixtures.
Customer service and quality are the focal points here, attracting locals who appreciate the consistency of the coffee and the diversity of food on offer. For a special treat, try the mocha, made with specially formulated chocolate from a small shop in Gig Harbor.
Cool factor: Zeitgeist also has a significant connection to the arts, displaying works from both established and emerging local artists.
171 S. Jackson St., 583-0497, zeitgeistcoffee.com
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