Seattle city guide
Coffee Shops & Cafes
Perhaps it’s the four hours of grey drizzly twilight in the winter, perhaps it’s the hale Scandinavian heritage. Nobody’s really sure, but Seattle’s love affair with strong coffee goes back decades. In the 1970’s (the original Starbucks was opened in 1971) coffee fanatics started buying Italian espresso machines and by the early 80’s a Seattle phenomenon was in full swing. Starbucks may have colonized half the known world, but Seattle is the original esspresso cart city. Fuel up!
IxD19 Team Favorite
General Porpoise
Coffee Shops & Cafes Restaurants Amazon Campus Ballard Capitol Hill Denny Regrade
Every city has its hallowed doughnut institutions but this one is a step above any other doughnut shop. The selection of filled doughnuts here is something you must try. Get here early though as they disappear fast!
Location: 1020 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Cafe
Coffee Shops & Cafes
Casual vegan spot known for its gluten- & dairy-free food, smoothies, and juice cleanses.
Location: 1635 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Starbucks Reserve
Coffee Shops & Cafes Capitol Hill
A unique Starbucks experience showcasing an ever-evolving menu of coffee, cocktails, and food.
Location: 1124 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
Caffe Ladro
Coffee Shops & Cafes Downtown
Contemporary local coffeehouse chain featuring sustainable beans, pastries, and baked goods.
Location: 801 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
Caffe Vita
Coffee Shops & Cafes Capitol Hill
Pacific Northwest chain serving house-roasted coffee in hip, relaxed surroundings.
Location: 1005 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
IxD19 Team Favorite
Ada’s Technical Books & Cafe
Coffee Shops & Cafes Capitol Hill
Bright, airy cafe inside a self-described "geeky" bookstore offering light, health-conscious fare.
Location: 425 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
Broadcast
Coffee Shops & Cafes Central
Independent roaster featuring artisanal espresso drinks & light fare in a sun-lit, minimalist space.
Location: 1918 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122
Cherry Street Coffee
Coffee Shops & Cafes Downtown
Original location of this iconic Seattle coffee roaster who now has 12 unique locations around the city.
Location: 700 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Espresso Vivace Alley 24
Coffee Shops & Cafes Capitol Hill Denny Regrade
Baristas prepare smooth espresso & lattes topped with foam art in an industrial-chic space.
Location: 227 Yale Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Kaladi Brothers
Coffee Shops & Cafes Capitol Hill
Alaskan born, dog friendly coffee roaster that recently moved into a beautiful new space.
Location: 517 E Pike St Ste C, Seattle, WA 98122
Monorail Espresso
Coffee Shops & Cafes Downtown
The Seattle espresso stand that started it all is no longer in its iconic location literally under the old Monorail station (which no longer exists). But it's still bringing the rocket fuel with strong espresso-based beverages & homemade cookies. Cash only, but well worth it.
Location: 510 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
Storyville
Coffee Shops & Cafes Downtown
Local coffee roaster chain with locations downtown, in the Pike Market, and in Queen Anne.
Location: 1001 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Mr. West
Coffee Shops & Cafes Belltown
Ultramodern fixture serving espresso drinks, beer/wine & cafe eats in an open, airy interior.
Location: 720 Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98101
Anchored Ship
Coffee Shops & Cafes Ballard
Cozy coffee shop serving java drinks, sandwiches & pastries in a hip space with nautical accents.
Location: 5308 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Elm Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shops & Cafes Pioneer Square
House-roasted, single-origin brews are the specialty at this casual coffeehouse in a calm palette.
Location: 240 2nd Ave S #103, Seattle, WA 98104
Biscuit Bitch
Coffee Shops & Cafes Downtown
Funky coffeehouse & biscuit specialist serving Southern-inspired fare in cozy, cheery digs.
Location: 1909 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Cherry Street Public House
Coffee Shops & Cafes Pioneer Square
Premium coffee, local beer, & Persian food served in a chill, relaxed setting with sidewalk tables.
Location: 210 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Cascade Coffee Works
Coffee Shops & Cafes South Lake Union
Industrial chic locale serving espresso drinks, beer/wine, kombucha & cafe eats in an open space.
Location: 1130 Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98109
Analog Coffee
Coffee Shops & Cafes Capitol Hill
Comfy neighborhood coffeehouse with a nautical feel offering a pour-over menu & cold brew on tap.
Location: 235 Summit Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
Caffe Umbria
Coffee Shops & Cafes Pioneer Square
Upmarket espresso plus panini & pastries in a European-style cafe setting with outdoor tables.
Location: 320 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Victrola Coffee
Coffee Shops & Cafes Capitol Hill
Relaxed coffeehouse with vintage decor offering global coffees, weekly tastings & pastries.
Location: 310 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
Anchorhead Coffee
Coffee Shops & Cafes Downtown
Minimalist coffee shop featuring nitro cold brew on tap, infamous for their signature "quaffle" pastry.
Location: 1600 7th Ave #105, Seattle, WA 98101
Ballard Coffee Works
Coffee Shops & Cafes Ballard
Bustling coffee shop featuring varied espresso blends & treats in a light-filled modern venue.
Location: 2060 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107
Fremont Coffee Company
Coffee Shops & Cafes Fremont
Cafe offering fair-trade, organic brews & pastries in a small house with porch & comfy seating.
Location: 459 N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103
IxD19 Team Favorite
Milstead & Co.
Coffee Shops & Cafes Fremont
With art-adorned walls, this coffeehouse boasts the #1 raking in Seattle. Well worth the trip to try.
Location: 754 N 34th St, Seattle, WA 98103
IxD19 Team Favorite
Vif Wine and Coffee
Coffee Shops & Cafes Drinks & Late Night Restaurants Fremont
Shawn Mead and Lauren Feldman's Vif is one of Seattle's truly wonderful places. Excellent coffee, Lauren's lovingly crafted breakfast and lunch dishes, and Seattle's best portfolio of natural wines make this wine bar/cafe/wine shop well worth the short trip to upper Fremont. This is where the IxDA Board met for pre-func before it's August retreat dinner at nearby seafood superstar Rock Creek. It's near impossible to buy a bottle of wine from Shawn without getting the story of the site, the winemaking techniques, and the winemakers, who she probably knows personally from her extensive travels working for importer Louis/Dressner. Tell her Bram sent you.
Location: 4401 Fremont Ave North, Seattle, WA 98103
Bar Ferdinand
Coffee Shops & Cafes Drinks & Late Night Restaurants Capitol Hill
Another natural wine bar, this one owned by Matt Dillon with wine curated by sometime sommelier Marc Papineau. Located in one of Seattle's most well-curated food & drink complexes, Capitol Hill's Chophouse Row.
IxD19 Team Favorite
KEXP Studios
Coffee Shops & Cafes Culture & Landmarks Lower Queen Anne
You can find KEXP at 90.3FM in Seattle and streaming all over the world at kexp.org. KEXP is an internationally renowned independent music station, one of the last of its kind. It has incredible community support. It recently moved into a new space in the Seattle Center where it has a gathering space that hosts concerts, has a full La Marzocco coffee bar, and a vinyl record shop called Light In The Attic Records. During Interaction 19, KEXP will be broadcasting live remotes from London, where they're be celebrating International Clash Day, a yearly celebration of the music and social impact of The Clash. Tune in, stream, or go take a studio tour at this global new music powerhouse.
Location: 472 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Lady Yum
Coffee Shops & Cafes Drinks & Late Night Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
A cheerful, charming Amazon Campus spot for fanciful macarons, champagne & wine with minimal seating.
