You might think that coffee exploded onto the scene in Seattle with the birth of Starbucks back in the ’70s, but the story actually begins in the 1700’s when tea became too expensive due to heavy taxes. Throw in more than a few gloomy Seattle days, and you’ve got the recipe for why the city feels somewhat like there are more coffee shops than people. Not quite true, there’s said to be a coffee shop for every 400 Seattleites, but you get the idea.
But in a city with such history, and one which seems to run entirely on coffee, how can anyone be expected to settle on just one favorite coffee shop, or point you in the direction of the best? We can’t tell you what the number one coffee shop is, since no sooner would the words leave our lips that a newer, quirkier spot would spring up, but we can share with you five of our favorites. So here are five completely unique cafes to head to for your daily fix while you’re in Seattle!