Exploring Seattle’s Coffee Scene

Top Pot Doughnuts © J Brew | Flickr

Seattle is synonymous with three things: rain, grunge and coffee. Being the birthplace of coffee chains like Seattle’s Best, Tully’s and coffee empire Starbucks,Seattle secured its place as the coffee hub of the United States. Studies have shown there are five coffee shops for every 100,000 people in the city, and the average Seattleite spends an average of $432 per year on coffee.

But coffee in the Queen City is more than just a corporate moneymaking operation — it is its own culture. There are the old houses that have been around for decades, and the dozens of new hipster java houses that are springing up around the city. From chic cafes to cheap coffee trucks, there’s a place for just about anyone to grab a cup.

Coffee Houses

One of the more notable cafes includes Victrola on 15^th street, which features coffee from all corners of the world including Africa, Indonesia and Latin America. Zoka, in Tangletown, is a great place to study and grab a cup of coffee or tea, and Vivace is the place to go for Northern Italian-style espresso.

Trucks

For those looking for a quicker coffee experience, the Motofish Coffee Truck is a great stop. Self-described as Wormslayers and Caffeine Enablers because of their bird mascot, these baristas travel around greater Seattle, popping up in a new location every day. Another option is the Mighty Bean Espresso truck, which serves coffee blends from local vendors.

Coffee and Donuts

Visitors looking for something sweet to eat with their cup of warm brew can check out one of the many famous Top Pot Doughnuts locations around the city.

Zoka Coffee © J Brew | Flickr