5 Best Coffee Shops in Washington With a View

On the northern-most tip of the Olympic Peninsula sits the small Victorian town of Port Townsend. And like every city in the state, Port Townsend is home to an adored coffee shop. Better Living Through Coffee sits along the shores of Port Townsend Bay and features wall-to-wall views of the surrounding islands, Cascade Range, and of course, the expansive Mount Rainier. Even on one of Washington’s notorious rainy days, while enjoying a cup of locally roasted brew, visitors can still spot river otters and seals popping up through the water.

The Starbucks located on the 40th floor of the Downtown neighborhood’s Columbia Tower offers sweeping views of the Emerald City. It’s a bit of a secret, even among locals, as the building is primarily used for business. Despite the nature of Columbia Tower, the Starbucks is open to the public, meaning locals and tourists alike can enjoy a slice of lemon loaf and sip on a cup of Pike Place brew, all while taking in the coffee shop’s incredible views.

Friday Harbor sits on the main San Juan Island, and encircled by the Puget Sound, it’s a secluded destination accessible only by boat. Off of the ferry terminal, in the middle of the village, is a small but charming local coffee shop called Riptide Cafe. Inside, the venue brews the Portland-based Stumptown Coffee and pairs it with locally made baked goods. And outside, Riptide Cafe offers an outdoor patio overlooking the lively marina.

The Alki beach in West Seattle is a Summertime hotspot for locals, so, of course, the neighborhood would stick a coffee shop there. The Ampersand Cafe on Alki is a beachfront coffee hub that specializes in locally roasted Hawaiian brew. For those seeking something a little more hearty, they make their sandwiches with homemade bread. As for the shop itself, Ampersand Cafe on Alki features wrap-around windows overlooking Elliott Bay and the Cascade Mountains.

Woods Coffee is a Bellingham favorite, even though it originated from Lynden, Washington. Established in 2002, the caffeine hub quickly spread across western Washington and even up into British Columbia. Of all its shops, the Boulevard Park location is the most popular. Woods Coffee at Boulevard Park looks out onto Bellingham Bay, a bay of the Salish Sea. With large bay-facing windows and a patio that borders the trail along Boulevard Park, there isn’t a spot in the coffee shop that doesn’t provide gorgeous waterfront views.