A guide to coffee culture in Seattle and the best coffee shops

For anyone looking for a simple cup of coffee, La Marzocco can feel like a slightly overwhelming experience; part shrine to coffee, part immersive museum, part showroom, and yes, part cafe, this flawless space pays homage to all things coffee, specifically La Marzocco coffee.

Taking up residence in the city’s famous KEXP radio station, the soundtrack is matched only by the rotating roaster program, where each month a different roaster brings their skills to the party. These Italian espresso machines who have been helping craft incredible coffee for almost 100 years, it’s no surprise that this is where world-class roasters come to show off their knowledge and skills.

Learn your coffee history as you sip espresso in their showroom, nibble on pastries as you peruse the displays of coffee machines running from the 20’s to the present day, and feel smug knowing that you’ve had one of the most sought after coffees in the city.

Whether the ‘gather’ of this minimalist coffee shop refers to the carefully curated list of ingredients gracing the menu or the gathering of friends to enjoy them, either way, we love the vibe.

After a successful kickstarter campaign, Preserve and Gather has held on to its grassroots, slightly DIY feel and created a space where you’ll want to spend more time than just running in on the way to work to grab a cappuccino. In fact, everything here seems to have been lovingly gathered; from the Sea Wolf bread to Conduit coffee, the coffee machine to the regulars who huddle together over the delicious plates and steaming mugs of coffee.

The food is as good as the coffee, with home made jams, preserves and pickles taking centre stage beside the local artisan breads, cheeses and pastries. And the best bit? There’s no wifi, so instead of finding an internet connection, you might actually make a real connection with someone. 

In a city flooded with coffee, looking for a truly unique coffee shop can feel a lot like looking for a needle in a haystack. But, it turns out that Zoka Coffee is that needle.

Where others are pushing boundaries with techniques and blends, this spot has kept it simple with its farm-to-cup approach. Zoka has four cafes throughout the city, the flagship, Zoka One can be found in the beautiful Tangletown neighborhood of Greenlake.

This bustling cafe is the perfect pitstop for your morning coffee because heading out to explore the best things to do in Seattle. With hand-brewed single-origin coffees, freshly baked pastries, and unlimited wifi on offer, Zoka coffee is one of the best places to experience coffee culture in Seattle. 

Describing itself as a ‘modern American coffee shop’, Analog has brought with it the best of Seattle’s second wave and shrugged off those parts we happily left behind in the 70s. Tucked away in an unassuming corner of Capitol Hill, a neighborhood increasingly known for its revolutionary spirit and hipster vibes, you’ll know you’ve arrived in the right place when you spot a faded American flag behind the counter and the sounds drifting out of Analog’s record player reach your ears. 

With records stacked and the day's newspapers and comics clipped to the walls, indulge in some time away from the digital age and busy yourself with a cup of cold brew (they were the first coffee shop in the city to fit a cold brew tap system), conversation and a good read. Hip without being hipster, Analog’s perfectly roasted Herkimer beans, and the constantly spinning records make for the perfect bolt hole in Capitol Hill.

You have absolutely no excuse not to head over to Brother Joe, a delightful craft coffee and tea house in Georgetown. You’ll quickly see where the ‘craft’ comes in; from bean to cup every part of the process has been lovingly considered and they pride themselves on their relationship with Herkimer, a local roaster committed to sustainability.

They purchase their beans from small, independent farms, and maintain close relationships with the farmers, ensuring good wages and working conditions as well as excellent quality beans.

As well as all the usual suspects and the daily drip which is always the barista’s choice, it’s their specialty brews that ensure Brother Joe stands out in a city obsessed with coffee. Bringing together flavors and techniques from across the globe has resulted in unique and inspired creations.

You can expect drinks like cold brew with rice, vanilla, and cinnamon; espresso with Mexican chocolate, chiles, orange zest; espresso with orange blossom honey-miso caramel and an espresso affogato with a cardamom and chocolate fudge ice cream. It’s like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for coffee lovers.