Seattle’s coffee culture is well known across the U.S., and for good reason. It’s not only the birthplace of Starbucks and many independent coffee roasters, but also a city where you can try coffees from around the world.
It was in Seattle that I started exploring coffee beyond my regular cold latte, and in this blog post, I’ll share what I’ve learned along with a list of interesting coffee spots you can try in Seattle.
Consider this a mini world tour and a place to find your next favorite coffee shop. But first, let me share some interesting things I discovered about coffee over the past few years. I also have a separate list of all my personal favorites around Seattle in this video.
The Origin Story of Coffee
Coffee was discovered in the 9th century in Ethiopia, likely in the Kaffa region. However, it was in the 15th century that Sufi monks in Yemen began roasting coffee beans to stay awake during night prayers. We get it, monks! Coffee eventually made its way to the Americas and Asia through trade, empire, and plantation expansion. From a local stimulant and social ritual, it became one of the world’s most traded and culturally adaptable beverages.
Legend says a goatherd named Kaldi noticed his goats acting unusually energetic after eating coffee berries, but the exact historical origin is uncertain.
Coffee reached Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, likely through Venetian trade routes, and then spread rapidly across the continent. By the end of the 17th century, it was established in Britain and much of continental Europe, where coffeehouses became important centers of public life. As demand grew, cultivation moved beyond Arabia to Java and other Indonesian islands in the 17th century, then to the Americas in the 18th century. By the 19th and 20th centuries, Brazil had become the leading producer, industrial roasting and grinding had taken hold, and instant coffee and decaffeination reshaped everyday coffee consumption.
Today, coffee is both a global crop and a global culture, with major producers including Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. Modern coffee culture now includes specialty cafés, sustainability and fair-trade movements, and new brewing styles that continue to evolve across regions.
Coffee Around the World
When it comes to coffee, Europe has the strongest presence across the globe, especially with its espresso-based and café milk drinks. Many countries contribute recognizable variations: Italy with its espresso drinks, Spain with its cortado, Austria and Germany with Wiener Melange, and the UK with liquor-based coffee drinks.
The Middle East and North Africa are defined by brewing style and spice, with popular drinks like Turkish coffee, Moroccan spiced coffee, and Israeli kafe botz. In the Americas and the Caribbean, the Latin region leans toward sweet, strong, milk-based coffees, often with cinnamon or condensed milk, while the North tends to favor simple Americanos on the go.
Asia is the most diverse region, with drinks ranging from condensed-milk coffees and tea-coffee hybrids to modern café culture in places like Vietnam, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia. South India is also known for its classic chicory-based filter coffee.
Australia has its own espresso-forward coffee culture and deserves a separate section, even if it is short. The most recognizable drinks are flat white, long black, short black, piccolo, magic, and affogato.
20 Coffee Shops in Seattle I Recommend
After visiting more than 60 coffee shops in and around Seattle, I shortlisted these 20 spots that I loved. Each one offers something unique beyond the classic Americano or espresso and will take you on a mini coffee tour around the world without breaking the bank.
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- Kaffeeklatsch Seattle – A family-owned German cafe in Lake city known for their coffee and baked goods.
- Hello Em Việt Coffee & Roastery – Another Vietnamese coffee spot where you can also watch the beans being roasted.
- Moore Coffee – A coffee shop located in the historic Moore Theatre with unique Mexican and Spanish coffee.
- Onda Origins – A Seattle coffee roastery and café focused on specialty coffee from South American regions.
- Bonhomie Coffee Bar – A Haitian-inspired mobile café with Haitian coffee beans and syrups reflecting Haitian flavors.
- Orange Goose Coffee – A new coffee shop in town, blending Hawaiian and Korean flavors.
- Victrola Coffee Roasters – They have some nice blends from Sumatra and Bali that you can enjoy in your favorite brew style.
- Coffeeholic House – A great choice for Viet coffee, their coffee is rich, textured and delicious.
- Nudibranch Coffee – Although this doesn’t serve the traditional thai coffee but it definitely has Thai-inspired specialty coffee drinks.
- Chennai Express – This is more of a restaurant than a cafe, but serves the best filter coffee in the traditional tumbler.
- Yoka Tea – A Filipino-Korean specialty café whose “Yoka Einspänner” is explicitly modeled on the Austrian coffee drink
- Caffè Umbria – Authentic Italian espresso bar serving classic coffee drinks.
- Mirabelle by Orphée – A French café in Pioneer Square offering the most delicious French pastries and coffee.
- La Parisienne French Bakery – Another Seattle institution, known for their authentic French baked goods and coffee.
- Cafe Turko – This is a Turkish restaurant and café serving authentic Turkish coffee and tea that you can enjoy with their delicious food.
- Café Calaveras – Another Mexican-inspired coffee shop featuring café de olla and other drinks rooted in Mexican coffee culture.
- Seatango Argentine Bakery & Cafe – An Argentine bakery and café serving coffee alongside Argentine pastries and dishes.
- Broadcast Coffee Roasters – A Seattle roaster with multiple locations, known for single-origin coffees including Kenyan offerings.
- Boon Boona Coffee – An African-focused roaster and café with Seattle locations, including Capitol Hill and the waterfront Overlook Walk, offering East African coffee and ceremonies.
- Karoo Café – A South African café in Pike Place Market combining coffee, cocktails, and South African-inspired food
As I always say, this is a ever-growing list, so bookmark it, save it, and you can also check out my other Seattle food recommendations here.
