6 Best Local Coffee Shop in Seattle, WA

Seattle is one of the most important locations in coffee culture and history. Incredible coffee is everywhere in this town, from neighborhood roasters to perfectionist downtown espresso carts. It's home to coffee giants like Starbucks and Seattle Best, also known as the coffee capital of the USA, which is why coffee tourism is one of the top things to do when visiting Seattle. If you’re looking to do a bit of that yourself, here are the places you should start!

Monorail Espresso

Founded in 1980, the business opened and introduced the cultural Italian staple of espresso to the wet city streets of Seattle via the world’s first espresso cart. Monorail has opened two more locations in Seattle’s downtown corridor: in the lobby of Columbia Center and on Westlake Ave in the Denny Triangle. They offer creamy lattes and rich and strong espressos. 

Olympia Coffee

Olympia Coffee’s humble beginnings started in 2005 in an unmarked warehouse in downtown Olympia. Their success is grounded in their quality-of-life mission, which has led them to create direct trade partnerships with coffee farmers worldwide in eight countries spanning 3 continents. This is one of the best places to buy coffee, specifically if you prefer single-origin beans and appreciate a variety of tasting notes. 

Elm Coffee Roasters

For the love of drinking and sharing great coffee, and delivering sincere hospitality and unpretentious service, Brendan Mullally opened Elm. It has now two locations – one in Pioneer Square and one in South Lake Union.  Elm has perfectly extracted, smooth espressos and quality macchiatos, but you can’t go wrong with anything you try here, including some of their delicious, homemade hazelnut milk. 

As a fun bonus, if you’re interested in learning more about the coffee-tasting process, you can even book a private coffee cupping class with Elm to learn from the pros.

Cafe Allegro

Established in Seattle's University District in 1975, Cafe Allegro is home to Seattle's oldest espresso bar and one of the country's finest Seattle-style coffee roasters. Their beans are imported from family farms around the world and roasted in small batches onsite at their cafe. Whether you’re a one-cup-a-day drinker or a true Seattlite, they guarantee you'll enjoy every sip. Plus, their interior decor is funky and eclectic, and the vibe is subdued, yet welcoming. 

Uptown Espresso

Established in Seattle in 1984 at the bottom of historic and swanky Queen Anne Hill. A pioneer in the emerging Seattle coffee scene, Uptown soon built an avid following of discerning coffee drinkers who discovered a remarkable experience. An experience made possible by expert baristas, a proprietary coffee roast, hand-made bakery treats, a cool and comfortable atmosphere, and something called Velvet Foam. The velvet foam on their lattes is Uptown Espresso’s specialty. 

Seattle Coffee Works

Amazing coffee, kind people, and cozy experiences since 2006. That's what Seattle Coffee Works prides itself for. Their specialty is in single-origin coffee, roasting them expertly and consistently to bring out the flavor notes. Light and medium roasts are the most popular. The interior has a traditional coffee shop feel with a modern ambiance, combining two worlds into a calm environment. 

This guide highlights some of the city’s finest coffee spots. You can’t go wrong with any of the coffee shops on this list, so now it’s time for you to get out and grab a good cup of coffee!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the photos included on this blog. Credits to the rightful owners.