Anchorhead Coffee ranks 1st on the list of the best Seattle coffee shops. This shop might be a Duvall-based roastery, but its retail location in Seattle is hard to beat. The intimate, cozy interior and the high-quality coffee beans provide quality over quantity. While they offer single-origin coffee beans from many different locations, their most popular batches come from Ethiopia. They also have fresh baked goods to pair with their top-notch brew, so it’s a great place to settle in and engage with friends. With many repeat customers and regulars that they know by name, Anchorhead Coffee strives to be a part of the community.

In Anchorhead Coffee, the housemade quaffle (essentially the pastry love child of a croissant and a waffle) provides an enlightened pairing to Anchorhead’s dialed-in espresso drinks. A traditional table setup mixes with bar seating to encourage lounging, laptop sessions, or morning meetups—all without losing the sense that this is, in fact, still a specialty coffee shop. No wonder the Seventh Avenue location has spawned siblings in Pike Place Market and Bellevue (with a two-story bakery and training lab coming this winter to 12th Avenue).

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Location: CenturyLink Plaza, 1600 7th Ave Ste 105, Seattle, WA 98101

Website: https://anchorheadcoffee.com/

Hours: 6:30 am - 18:00 pm

Elm Coffee Roasters ranks 2nd on the list of the best Seattle coffee shops. Single-origin coffee beans and small-batch roasting are the signatures of Elm Coffee Roasters, a roaster and coffee shop that enjoys the whole coffee shop experience. They work directly with coffee farmers in select locations, both for top-notch quality and economic sustainability. But Elm Coffee isn’t only about the coffee, but also about having welcoming energy and a place to enjoy socializing. The minimalist atmosphere and distraction-free environment prove to be a great choice, as it cultivates conversation with a great cup of coffee.

Pioneer Square’s coffee haven is the perfect place for stellar coffee, yet approachable in a way that invites you to learn more about the finer points of brewing methods. With a rotation of seasonal coffees (current offerings are sourced from Peru and Columbia), and a streamlined, solid menu of coffee drinks, Elm is a go-to. By day, Elm Coffee Roasters is a cafe and bakery, and at night it transforms into a cocktail bar serving pulutan, Filipino bar food.

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Location: 240 2nd Ave S Seattle, WA 98104

Tel: 206-445-7808

Website: https://elmcoffeeroasters.com/

Hours: 8:00 am - 15:00 pm

Latte art is a staple in coffee and espresso culture, which many give its popularity credit to the owner of Espresso Vivace, David Schomer. They sell a variety of espresso blends and single-origin beans, choosing high-quality beans for their customers. Latte art enthusiasts will enjoy the vibe and, of course, the art skills that the baristas at Espresso Vivace have. Their espresso is consistent, and the latte art is always superb, making it an important stop in Seattle. It can get busy in the stores and may feel a little overwhelming, but their walk-up sidewalk coffee shop is an easy fix to that.

Founded in 1988, Vivace was a pioneer in the early days of Seattle espresso culture, especially through the contributions of co-founder David Schomer, who wrote an influential book on espresso techniques and latte art in 1994 and educated countless baristas over the years who have gone on to open cafes and chains of their own. Those who want to pay homage should pay a visit to the Capitol Hill sidewalk bar, where a shrine to Caffeina, Goddess of the Walking Day, is closeby. Vivace’s co-owner set up his Broadway espresso cart in 1988 and trained a generation of future baristas and roasters on the finer points of Italian-caliber extraction. Today Vivace has three locations—including a cart just down the street from the site of the original—all serving textbook-perfect espresso.

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Location: 532 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102

Tel: 206-860-2722

Website: https://espressovivace.com/

Hours: 6:00 am - 19:00 pm

There’s a little bit for everyone at Fonté Café, whether you want to try the Italian blends or the single-origin coffee beans. The in-house roaster’s coffee shop in downtown Seattle succeeds in its sleek European atmosphere, complete with an array of breakfast and lunch items. It’s a great coffee shop for a lunch date with friends while also experiencing some of the best coffee in Seattle. While the warm interior will make you want to stay, there are plenty of quick things to eat along with your coffee to go. Their Turkish latte is one of their signature drinks, which alone is a reason to visit.

A short walk from Pike Place Market, Fonté’s signature cafe is upscale, with a robust menu of single-origin roasts. If you enjoy medium-to-dark roasts, Sage Lattes, and could use a snack (that's not a protein box), this is the place to go while you're in town. Enjoy single-origin coffee tasting flights, and deconstructed lattes, and Fonté’s owners methodically brew your coffee in a Chemex. Fonté Café isn't just a cafe; it's an experience.

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Location: 1321 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Tel: 206-777-6193

Website: https://www.fontecafe.com/seattle-menu

Hours: 8:00 am - 17:00 pm

Fulcrum Café is one of the best Seattle coffee shops, offering traditional coffee flavors and keeping up with modern times. With three brands (Fulcrum, Silver Cup, and Urban City) featuring different aspects of coffee, they’re able to offer some of the best-tasting coffees for everyone. Single-origin and traceable coffee beans are the hallmark of Fulcrum Café, so you’ll have access to top-notch coffee that they roast in-house. They also offer a small yet satisfactory food menu and non-coffee drinks, all within a cozy yet sleek interior that leaves you wanting a second cup.

Fulcrum Café is one of Seattle’s most esteemed roasters and it is run by fifth-generation Costa Rican coffee farmer Blas Alfaro. Fulcrum’s Belltown cafe is modern and welcoming and delivers on the high standards set for quality coffee. Here, one can order a meticulously prepared espresso from one of Fulcrum’s thoughtfully sourced roasts, or opt for one of the more playful lattes. Some examples are the butterfly pea flower latte with vanilla and lavender and the pink beetroot latte with rosewater and jasmine flowers. Visit any of the company’s four cafes around the Seattle area, or set up a subscription.

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Location: 590 Bell St, Seattle, WA 98121

Tel: 206-995-8779

Website: https://fulcrumcoffee.com/

Hours: 8:00 am - 16:00 pm

If you like to read in a rustic environment or grab a window seat to people-watch, Victrola Coffee Roasters on Pike Street is a great stop. It has that classic cozy coffee shop feel, so enjoy a nice cortado or latte. Victrola Coffee Roasters selects high-quality beans and roasts them in-house, using globally sourced beans to deliver premium coffee. It can get busy quickly, and you may be waiting for your coffee, so it’s not the best stop for on-the-go coffee. However, the wait is usually worth it, especially for their popular cortado.

Victrola is one of the most prominent roasters in the city, known for its consistently highly graded coffees, including Kenyan peaberry offerings. Victrola’s location on Pike Street also serves as a roastery, training facility, and cupping room. There are beans for sale online, as well as subscriptions to single-origin roasts. Try the cozy location at 15th Avenue on Capitol Hill, the bustling downtown cafe, or the smaller outpost in Beacon Hill in addition to the Pike Street roastery. This well-respected company, with locations across the country, has a history of coffee-making that goes back decades, originating in a roastery in Perugia, Italy. Using more than 15 varieties of coffee, the blends are fantastic and Victrola Coffee Roasters is some of the best around.

Ratings: 4.5/5

Location: 310 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122

Tel: 800-575-5282

Website: https://www.victrolacoffee.com/

Hours: 7:00 am - 18:00 pm

Seattle Coffee Works ranks 7th on the list of the best Seattle coffee shops. Coffee shops can have an elitist feel to them, but Seattle Coffee Works likes to step away from that kind of environment. 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, though they offer a variety of roasts and beans. The interior has a traditional coffee shop feel with a modern ambiance, combining two worlds into a calm environment. Whether you’re looking for a quieter social setting or a place to delve into a book, Seattle Coffee Works is the perfect coffee shop for that.

Seattle Coffee Works was once home to Seattle’s first original multi-roaster cafe. Today, it's known for roasting coffee sourced directly from some of the world’s top micro-lots. You’re bound to see Seattle Coffee Works’s owner Sebastian making conversation with regulars and showing off photos from his latest trip to Kenya. Try one of the lightly roasted single-origin roasts brewed your way at the pour-over bar.

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Location: 108 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

Tel: 206-340-8867

Website: https://www.seattlecoffeeworks.com/

Hours: 8:00 am - 16:00 pm

Café Allegro is a hidden gem of artwork and a distinct feel to it, a hub for creativity and community. Opening as the first espresso bar in Seattle, they remain a steady competition for the newer coffee shops. Their original espresso blend and handcrafted drinks have stood the test of time, competing against multiple coffee shops in the same area. They also sell small-lot batches of premium coffee and a variety of baked goods, so it’s a great place to take a break and enjoy a piece of Seattle history. If you’re in the University area, Café Allegro is a great place for some coffee and art.

One of the oldest shops and roasteries in the Seattle area, Café Allegro has been serving up espresso in the University District since 1975. Allegro’s coffee is available online, but to really feel the old-school Seattle vibe, you’ll want to go there in person. The entrance is through a brick-walled alley. Participate in the decades-long tradition of academic caffeinating under the tall ceilings of the self-proclaimed oldest continually running espresso bar in Seattle. This UW-adjacent hub, accessible through an old alleyway—a real old-cafe-in-Cambridge sort of situation—has strong coffee, tons of tables, and overflow seating upstairs for finals week.

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Location: Alleyway, 4214 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105

Tel: 206-633-3030

Website: https://seattleallegro.com/

Hours: 8:00 am - 17:00 pm

Caffe Ladro has a bit of an underdog vibe, a coffee shop that opened up right next to the world-famous Starbucks. The name means “coffee thief” in Italian, a tip of the hat to the courage it took to challenge the big coffee franchise. With high-quality beans from carefully sourced farmers in major coffee-growing regions, Caffe Ladro strives to provide premium coffee and espresso on a consistent basis. The coffee shop has a dimly-lit, rustic feel to it that adds to the friendly environment, making it one of the best places to grab a coffee in Seattle.

Ladro arrived in 1994, when Seattle was riding a flannel-wearing, Frasier-watching wave that crested with its burgeoning coffee culture. Today, 16 understated locations offer a reliable network of exacting coffee. Caffe Ladro (Ladro Roasting) is an iconic Seattle coffee brand with 15-plus cafes around town. The location on Pine is a short walk from Pike Place Market, making it one of the most popular locations. They always have a lighter single-origin roast on tap from a farm that Ladro owner Jack Kelly has visited on his annual pilgrimage. Ladro bakes its own pastries and always has uniquely crafted coffee drinks on the menu, such as Medici, a mocha with fresh orange zest.

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Location: 2205 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Tel: 206-282-5313

Website: https://www.caffeladro.com/locations/upper-queen-anne-caffe-ladro/

Hours: 6:00 am - 18:00 pm

One of the best Seattle coffee shops is Caffé Vita Coffee Roasting. This shop is not new to the coffee-roasting game, selling their fresh-roasted coffee since 1995. The small but warm interior is a nice break from the larger coffee shops in Seattle, making it a great place if you’re on a solo trip in the city. Explore single-origin coffee and hand-selected coffee bean blends, as well as delicious espresso-based drinks. They also serve a variety of bites and baked goods to eat, which pairs so well with their fresh-roasted coffee. With its location downtown and a welcoming environment, it’s no surprise that Café Vita Roasters is a local favorite.

With a focus on Independent & locally roasted organic coffees, Caffe Vita is known as the favorite coffee of Seattle’s independent music & arts scene. Roasting on artsy Capitol Hill in a building decorated by a large colorful mural, Vita recently celebrated their 25th anniversary of serving up their independently roasted coffees to Seattle and beyond-- Vita also operates cafes in Los Angeles, Portland, Bushwick, and Brooklyn. Caffe Vita is a locally celebrated small-batch roaster specializing in espresso preparation and equipment. With an expansive array of roasts, Caffe Vita has something for everyone: chocolate-forward medium blends, darker espresso blends, and, every so often, sweet single origins with tasting notes like honey and orange guava. Their coffees rotate seasonally, adding lots of variety to their coffee menu: you’ll see up-and-coming growers from spots as diverse as Uganda, Peru, Mexico, and Congo, alongside more traditional Brazil and Ethiopia. Let Vita’s logo, an Italian clown holding a coffee up, serve as a reminder: while Vita takes the business of coffee very seriously, you, the audience, should simply be enjoying yourself.

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Location: 1005 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122

Tel: 206-712-2132

Website: https://www.caffevita.com/

Hours: 7:00 am - 19:00 pm