localcoffee – Need Coffee Will Travel

So you probably have heard Seattle is known for having amazing coffee. Some even deem this city as the coffee capitol of the world! But it’s more than just coffee that draws people in.

The coffee shop scene is becoming much more popular because they offer more than just a plain ol’ cup of joe.

A coffee shop is a place that you can make your own. You can choose your favorite beverage, grab your book or meet a friend. You can find a shop with an atmosphere that matches your own vibe. It could be a modern, cleanly designed space with warm lighting, or a cozy getaway with soft plush chairs, or perhaps an eclectic setting with colorful mugs to sip from…

You can try flavors and combinations you’ve never imagined in your wildest dreams. You can try different brewing methods without having to set them up at home.

It’s a meeting place for friends, family and colleagues. However, still a safe and comfortable place to study or read in solitude. There aren’t many places that offer both of those capabilities.

On my current adventure in Seattle (and previous ones), I’ve gotten to taste some pretty fantastic coffee. In fact, I try to make it my mission to try a new coffee shop everyday! There are so many local places to choose from it’s overwhelming. I’d love to share with you some of my favorites, and the reasons why I enjoyed them. Below you’ll find seven coffee shops with key features, locations, and insights on what to expect.

Anchorhead Coffee

Key Features: Unique, Signature Flavors and Helpful Staff

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

On my first visit to this shop, I asked the barista for suggestions, and she recommended the Nitro Mint Latte. It definitely sounded a little out there, but she said it was one of the favorites among customers. I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted it! This iced drink was frothy (hard to get with an iced beverage) and had just a hint of mint flavor that balanced perfectly. When I arrived, it was clear this shop is a favorite among locals, the place was pretty packed. The selection of baked goods also looked delicious, if you get the chance, try the salted chocolate chip cookie.

Caffe Ladro

Key Features: Great View and Value

Location: 801 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

This shop is definitely one to visit on a day with nice weather if you can, because they have a little sundeck that gives a BEAUTIFUL view of nearby streets and buildings. Definitely the most relaxing place that I stopped, for the outdoor setting, and because it usually isn’t extremely crowded. The inside shop is very small, just tucked away in a large circular apartment complex called Tower 801.

Another perk besides the caffeine-there are some pretty awesome baked goods. I had a rhubarb oatmeal bar, I’d definitely get it again. I ordered a caramel latte which was delightfully balanced in flavors, and topped with a lovely leaf design. Caffe Ladro also has a rewards card that works similar to Starbucks for its more frequent customers, and offers a jumbo size for a better value.

Ghost Alley Espresso

Key Features: Fun Vibe and Local Roasts

Location: 1499 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101

This tiny coffee shop definitely has a lot of spunk! Located right next to the gum wall under Pike Market, it’s right in the middle of the action. While I visited Ghost Alley, they were fairly busy. The tiny shop was full of people waiting in line to order their coffee.

I ordered the Salted Nut my first time, and the barista did let me know that they tend to add less syrups, so if I needed more to let her know, which was thoughtful. Check out their signature drinks if your looking for something different! When I returned a different day, I tried the Smog Latte, which was a lovely combination of earl grey tea, espresso, and vanilla. Give this one a go if you’re an earl grey lover!

Mr. West

Key Features: Modern Atmosphere and Friendly Staff

Location: 720 Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98101

Here, they have a great outdoor seating area that has strings of warm lights hanging overhead. Once you step inside, there is an assortment of succulents and other small decorative knick knacks that are available for purchase, some with the shop’s own unique logo and designs.

What I love about this shop, the baristas and other workers are very friendly and professional from what I have experienced. The atmosphere is modern, but yet it is very comfortable and relaxed. I felt okay sitting down to write for a while, sipping my espresso macchiato slowly. There are many more things I would love to try here, since it’s not only a coffee shop, but a cafe and bar as well!

Monorail Espresso

Key Features: Wonderful Espresso (no surprises here) and Baked Goods

Location: 510 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101

This shop is newer, but they are always busy with locals, who claim that if you work in the nearby area, that this is the place to stop. There is no indoor seating, but they have lovely colorful tables on the nearby sidewalk, sometimes decorated with fresh flowers. The baristas are very efficient at their job, keeping the line moving fairly quickly, so don’t be intimidated by the long line! I ordered a basic caramel latte here, and also got one of their chubbies (kind of like a soft scone). Their paper cups also sport a personalized logo stamped on them which I enjoyed.

Caffe Dior

Key Features: Organized and Friendly Staff

Location: 800 Convention Pl, Seattle, WA 98101

Located inside the Washington State Convention Center on the main floor, this coffee shop is a nice option for escaping the outdoors for a bit. They offer sandwiches and baked goods in addition to their beverages. I absolutely loved their caramel macchiato, which is more like the Starbucks version with very sweet flavors and less like the traditional macchiato.

I have visited this shop at least three times already, and every time I came in there was a very friendly older gentleman working. He remembered who I was and always asked how my day was going, which always makes for a positive experience!

Victrola Coffee Roasters

Key Features: Relaxing Atmosphere

Location: 800 Convention Pl, Seattle, WA 98101

My favorite location of this growing coffee company is located in Capitol Hill, but they have many locations including one in downtown Seattle. The first time I visited this shop (in Capitol Hill), I felt the need to sit down for a while and read The Seattle Times, given the relaxing atmosphere that surrounded me. Recently I tried their honey latte, the espresso was definitely the front runner for flavor, but the honey added a slight sweetness to help balance it out! Victrola’s downtown location is definitely more congested and has less seating available, so plan accordingly.

I hope you enjoyed reading about some of Seattle’s local coffee shops, I definitely enjoyed visiting them to see what they had to offer. Please join me in future posts for more travel adventures, inspirations, and much more! I’d love to hear from you, feel free to comment below!

There are so many reasons why I love Seattle. Although there are many things to see in this great city, I’d suggest a few basic things to add to your bucket list! The best part is that you can experience them in more than one way, to accommodate your budget and time frame.

City Lights at Night

One of the benefits of flying into Seattle at night is getting to see how extraordinary the city is by night! You see the constant streams of traffic as you get closer, the buildings all lit up, the coastline….the city is still alive with warmth and color.

Sometimes after a long day of excursions and walking around town, you don’t really feel like going out late. In most cases you probably feel like going to bed around 8 pm. BUT….wherever you are staying, I suggest you at least take a look out your hotel window, or a walk outside to see how beautiful the Emerald City is when the sun goes down.

If you are willing to, I’d highly suggest seeing the Space Needle at night. To get the most for your money, I like to go at sunset when you can get the best of both worlds! Since they have remodeled, they now have two floors that you can view the city. The observatory deck is the top floor, where they now have glass walls on the outer edge so you can have uninterrupted view of the skyline. This floor also features a cafe that serves food, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. The lower level is the rotating floor, that also has glass floors that you can look directly down from, as well as glass walls. If you have the time, it is a wonderful way to be able to see all of Seattle.

You can also view the city from other buildings at night, such as the Smith Tower and the Columbia Center. The Smith Tower was the tallest building in Seattle back in 1914. It features an exhibit on the ground floor, and a bar with signature drinks on the observation floor, both giving a little history to the famous building. The Columbia Center is currently the tallest building in Seattle, and has a 360 view of the city as well! Ticket prices include a night and day viewing.

Another option if you are willing to venture out at night, is to go to a rooftop bar in Seattle, there are several to pick from!

The Waterfront Views

The waterfront is an absolute must see, whatever way you decide to do it! An easy way to get a glimpse is to go behind Pike Place Market’s main building. They have open areas with tables, and views of the water. On a clear day, you can view the Cascade Mountains in the distance! This is a nice opportunity to sit back and watch all the sail boats, ships, and ferries go by. There are several restaurants that have a waterfront view in the market as well, whether it be indoor or outdoor (take your pick!).

Another option for those who would like to take a closer look, is to take a sea cruise or tour! We chose the Argosy Harbor Tour (included with a City Pass if you purchase one). The tour is an hour, which is the perfect amount of time to zip around the coastline and get a look at the city from a different vantage point. They have a full service bar, as well as offering indoor and outdoor seating. Be ready to take some great pictures of the coastline! The tour also offers some good photo opts for the Space Needle from afar.

For those who have a little more time, it’s always a great option to take a ferry adventure. You can go to nearby Alki Beach, or several other destinations. Simply check the ferry listings online and go from there!

Local Coffee

Seattle is known for its great coffee, and they have a large variety of local options to test out. What’s even better for caffeine addicts such as myself, the downtown area has one on almost every block! I was even lucky enough to pick a hotel that served coffee all day.

Starbucks also has many locations in Seattle, since it originated here in 1971. You can also find a Starbucks on almost every block. Although I do suggest venturing out and finding local options to try, if you do want a Starbucks experience, go to the First/Original Starbucks across from Pike Place Market, or the Starbucks Roastery. Both usually have long lines to wait in, but are a fun experience for any coffee lover!

All of the local coffee shops in Seattle I visited at least offered the basics (americano, latte, iced coffee, drip coffee, espresso). It’s always a good idea to ask your barista what is popular or what they suggest, to get a feel for what their signature flavors are! There are some shops that roast their own beans, others even make their own flavored syrups! You never know what you’ll find.

Something all of these shops have in common-friendly and helpful staff! All of the places I visited had some great baristas and were very friendly, which I appreciated as a newcomer.

If you are interested in learning more about each local coffee shop, I will have a blog coming up soon with my local favorites and what they have to offer!

For quick reference here are the names of some shops I’d suggest: Mr. West Cafe Bar, Anchorhead Coffee, Cherry Street Coffee House, Caffe Dior, Caffe Ladro, Monorail Espresso, and Ghost Alley Espresso.

Local Seafood

Many of Seattle’s local restaurants boast fresh seafood, and it’s a great opportunity to try something different! When I was in Seattle last year, I did try Etta’s, a local restaurant on Western Ave. Their menu has lots of different seafood options, but I decided to try the fish and chips. It was definitely a great (and filling) meal! Don’t be afraid to try something new, you may just stumble across something you love.

Many of the local seafood restaurants can be found near the waterfront on Western Ave and Alaskan Way. Some well rated favorites include Cutters Crabhouse, Elliot’s Oyster House, The Crab Pot, Shuckers Restaurant, and Lowell’s Restaurant & Bar.

If you would rather buy fresh seafood to cook at home, Pike Place Fish Co. in the Pick Place Market will be happy to ship out orders to your house, or you can take it with you right away (if you have a kitchen available in you hotel room). Or, you can just watch other people buy their fish and get it thrown to them at the market!

I hope that some of these options have inspired you to experience Seattle in your own way. Which places or sights are at the top of your list of things to do in Seattle? If you’ve already visited, what experiences were your favorite? As always I’d love to hear from you, so feel free to comment below, or email me directly. Join me in future posts for more travel adventures and tips! Happy traveling!