An Over-Caffienated Freak's Guide to Espresso in Seattle

By Badassica
updated 5 months ago

There's more to coffee in Seattle than a trip to the Starbuckian Mothership in the Market. Let a native with a true problem guide you through the myriad of choices.

Drinks You Might Not Know You Love

You live in Seattle long enough and eventually you lose your taste for a standard mocha, vanilla latte, cappuccino, or americano. Here are some off-menu variations to spice up your coffee drinking endeavors.

Straight to the Heart: Quad Iced Americano. Must be served in a grande of 16 ounce cup. Ask that the shot are poured over a full cup of ice and that additional ice and only the tiniest bit of water are added to fill the cup. Instantaneous braingasm – not recommended after 5 pm if you’re interested in sleep.
Cold Weather Sweet to the Heart: Only available from establishments offering a White Chocolate Mocha made with sauce – NOT SYRUP. Starbucks will work. Quad shot in a grande cup with two pumps of White Chocolate. Warms you to your soul, wakes you to the world.
Mexi-Mocha: Mocha with an extra shot (helps to mimic bitterness of dark chocolate), cinnamon syrup, and vanilla syrup. Ole!
Orange Mocha – Just because Starbucks discontinued it doesn’t mean they can’t make it anymore. Just ask them to toss in a shot of orange – really nice in the White Mocha too.

Bauhaus Books & Coffee

301 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122

When Mary Stewart Masterson was here in 1997 to film the little indy pic “The Book of Stars” – this is the coffee she wanted. Even though they were filming feet from Vivace for over a week. It’s a great shop, often offering single Ding Dongs in the pastry case. The coffee is good – interior is a great old book store covered in plenty to read.

Starbucks Coffee

23 S Jackson St # 2300 S, Seattle, WA 98104

A Stabucks is a Starbucks right? Yeah, pretty much. However, this particular location is a great testament
to how the coffee giant does their best to compliment and reflect the surrounding neighborhood. The walls are covered in Jazz themed murals and he communal tables are filled with African American men escaping their days to talk, play dominoes and enjoy Seattle’s most famous culinary export.

Espresso Vivace Roasteria Cafe

901 E Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98122

Whether you’re a fan of the foofy coffee drink or not – you must try the Cafe Caramel. It is as though it was made with the buttery kisses of angels.

Bar none – the best coffee in town. Free WiFi and a great view of Cal Anderson Park.

Whether you’re a fan of the foofy coffee drink or not – you must try the Cafe Caramel. It is as though it was made with the buttery kisses of angels.

Bar none – the best coffee in town. Free WiFi and a great view of Cal Anderson Park.

Cherry St Coffee House

103 Cherry St, Seattle, WA 98104

There are two of these guys in town – this is the original shop. A great family owned business with lovely ambiance and great coffee. Really good selection of pastries and homemade sandwiches with a Mediterranean twist. You’ll end up down this way if you’re doing anything remotely touristy – why not hop in for coffee a native would condescend to drink while you’re there?